In August of 2021, we at The Amp were handed the debut record of Corduroy Brown, Let Me Know, and were surprised at the record as a whole. It was an indie rock powerhouse of a record that was part jubilation, part confusion, but all heart. Coming off of a fairly traumatic year, it was a record of piecing together what happens after the noise dies down and you’re left in silence to pick up some pieces. This release picks up in a lot of ways where that record left off. The main difference is that the Rest EP strips away the jubilant compositions and strips them down to, in most cases, an instrument and a voice. It’s vulnerable and exposing which can be tough for a lot of artists, because in that setting when things are that simplified, every piece has to be right, and with this record, it is.

There’s a painful tinge to a lot of the songs on this record that I think were present in the debut release but maybe burned in the background. As mentioned, Let Me Know came on the heels of more than a near death experience, a temporary passing to be brought back. That’s where the party and celebration comes to life, being excited to be here and exploring the idea that you made it, you’re still here. As time passed some of the stress, physical pain, and what comes across as a touch of imposter syndrome sets in. “Survivors Guilt” explores that very subject. The moments alone when the party lights go down, and you’re in silence, pain, wondering “why me?” and trying to reconcile that you’re here, there’s a purpose, and you’re supposed to be screaming from the rooftops, but that’s not how life works. As you explore the themes on this record: mental health, physical health, imposter syndrome, pain, and self-doubt, there’s a very real emotional force that lays heavy.

There’s still a very strong pop element to this record, strong melodies, easily singable hooks, but there’s a maturity with this record that extends past the weight of the last. Even on bouncier tracks like “Watercolors” there’s a self-reflective, self awareness that reads like someone becoming painfully aware of the skin they’re in. Dealing with themes of self anger, Brown, always an advocate for mental health awareness, explores some real powerhouse emotions with the help of fellow Huntington native Katherine Allen.

“I should be grateful to still be alive” is a theme that runs through the record; the idea that somehow you owe the world for making it through a painful event. Brown, after watching a friend struggle with what eventually became a terminal illness, saw parallels to his own struggle that turned out very differently. Brown turned a lot of that into a really stripped down, but extremely potent and direct way of exploring some really challenging emotional content. It’s a brave record in a lot of ways: from a musical standpoint there’s nowhere to hide, and from an emotional perspective the record confronts those issues head on without any pretense. If I had to boil the record review down to a word, it’s powerful.

Rest is a powerful record that deserves all the attention you can spare. Please take the time to give it a listen on February 1 when it hits all the places you stream music. It’s a stripped down agonizingly beautiful record that highlights both the songwriting and sincere vocal abilities of Corduroy Brown. This is a genuinely talent-filled record that is as potent as any effort you’ll hear with some elements that make it immediately listenable. I’ll say it again, louder for those in the back, we should all be grateful Alan is still here to share his art with us!

Find out more about Corduroy Brown at the links below: