Tom Barrett - “Sunlight Brush”
Since the dissolution of his prior band Overlake, Jersey City musician Tom Barrett has worn multiple hats in the area music scene. He’s lent his drumming talents to several projects, including CR and the Nones and Nicole Yun, formed a new group called Wave, and held down bass duties for Bloomfield’s Pioneer The Eel. His recent solo material, however, has been the most intriguing, as it’s allowed listeners to see a different side of Barrett as a songwriter, particularly, one that’s more personal and wistful. He released three gorgeous tracks in 2019, which we discussed at length on Episode 88 of the Look At My Records! podcast, and after a serious case of COVID-19 knocked him off his feet in early 2020, he put together an intimate collection of home recordings called 051480 as a sort of quasi-document of the experience. This post-recovery period proved to be quite prolific, as he released another full-length, All Is Right, and a digital double single, “Still Be Here” b/w “We Were Wrong.” His most recent single, “Sunlight Brush,” is an extension of his work in 2020, but it’s also an expansion, as he fleshes out his sharp melodies, elevates the percussion, and adds a series of enchanting instrumental accents.
In my opinion, Barrett’s distinct voice is always the focal point in his songs, and “Sunlight Brush” is no exception. He sings with a soft, yet booming whisper that carries emotional weight in a way that’s similar to Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse. It’s gentle, but quite sturdy and unflappable, serving as the backbone of “Sunlight Brush,” which is guided by a sturdy beat and light flashes of piano. Perhaps Barrett titled the track after his guitar work, as it’s illuminating, especially when paired with that aforementioned piano.
Stream the song below.!
Barrett will be performing alongside Renee Maskin at The Blue House in Jersey City this Saturday, November 6th. Space is limited, so make sure you RSVP early via the Facebook event.
Keep up with Tom by following him on Instagram and liking him on Facebook. You can also check out his music on Bandcamp and Spotify.
