Jonathan Brenner is an Atlanta, USA-based singer songwriter who has just hit my radar thanks to the release of his new album, Instagram Success.
By Graeme Smith
A natural songwriter, Jonathan has been writing music since the tender age of five. From there his love of music never faltered, and he recorded his debut album, Playin’ Hooky with My Baby, in 2016 with the help of producer Billy Gewin at Cave Cricket Studio in Tucker, Georgia.
His Southern upbringing most certainly influences his style, but it’s not as straightforward as to call him a country musician. In fact, he draws from a range of influences, including some legends from this side of the pond like The Beatles and Elton John, to create his unique genre-defying sound.
Instagram Success is an album that has something to say right from its simple yet striking two-word title. You instantly get a sense that this is a collection that’s uneasy with the state of the world and, more specifically, the state of fame and the music industry. As we get into it with the album’s title track, we are welcomed into a jazzy world with sardonic lyrics, juxtaposing classic song writing and modern day subject matter.
Across eleven tracks, Jonathan takes on aspects of life in 2024, including love, philosophy, and Capitalism. We get some fiendishly engaging stories like the twisted Not Gettin’ Drunk, Not Gettin’ High, the vivid Little Lost Lamb in Dixieland, and the macabre The Ballad of Orson Jones. Musically, we are treated to genres as diverse as disco, rock and pop. Instagram Success is an album that redefines the word ‘eclectic’ yet Jonathan’s charismatic vocals and timeless approach hold it all together.
With his new album, Jonathan provides the perfect protest against the concept raised by its title. He’s given us a well-thought-out and constructed album that will stand the test of time. If you’re a fan of classic songwriters like Bob Dylan or Billy Joel, then you’re going to want to hear was Jonathan Brenner has to say.
Instagram Success is out now and you can check it out below.
