“brent iii” is songwriting duo Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler’s third entry in the indie album series.
“brent iii” is songwriting duo Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler’s third entry in the indie album series.
Singer-songwriters Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler concluded the latest chapter of their acclaimed “brent” series with the release of “brent iii” Nov. 1, marking a notable moment of vulnerability and musical development.
A journey of emotional exploration and creative freedom, “brent iii” marks the final chapter in the “brent” trilogy by Zucker and Cutler. The third installment of this series is a striking fusion of introspective lyrics, genre-defying soundscapes and unfiltered pathos.
In a °1842 press conference Dec. 4, Zucker and Cutler delved into the album’s creative process, musical expressions and genre-defying explorations.
Zucker and Cutler said they combined indie, EDM and pop styles to produce the record’s magical atmosphere.
“We definitely borrowed a lot from folk and Americana,” Zucker said. “And I kind of have a more indie-pop, alternative background, while Chelsea is more indie-pop electronic, and there is a ton of crossover there.”
In 2019, Zucker and Cutler came together to create “brent”— a collection of five songs written and produced by the dynamic pair in a cozy Connecticut cabin.
Surrounded by the crisp December air, the two sheltered themselves away from the outside world for a week, emerging with the first chapter of “brent.” The first album highlighted insecurities and angst, while the second chapter, “brent ii” chronicled love and inevitable heartbreak.
These two chapters sowed the seeds for “brent iii,” offering a broad portrayal of the human experience.
“Songs are meals, genres are types of cuisine and the influences are the ingredients,” Zucker said. “That is what is so exciting about diving into new perspectives, which would not have happened if not working together.”
Cutler said the initial song, “ashes & rust,” was intentionally chosen to lead the tracklist due to its captivating introduction delivered by the delicate lyrics and soothing acoustics. “a-frame,” described by Zucker as a song they knew they loved from the start, is upbeat and feel-good, offering a sense of optimism.
In contrast, “black & white,” which was one of the final tracks chosen for “brent iii,” emerged out of necessity, bringing a larger introspective and complex energy to the album. The song reflects a heartfelt acoustic duet about the simple acts of love that turn the smallest everyday moments into something special.
The album centers around the willingness to open up and face the difficult aspects of love, identity and growth.
The duo emphasized the significant role their own feelings and perspectives have played in shaping the emotional tone of their music, drawing from personal life experiences — whether those times were difficult to navigate, or not. Cutler and Zucker explore vulnerability and personal guilt on third track “i miss you,” and tenth track “just breathe.”
“We wanted the record to feel like a cozy, safe place for people,” Cutler said. “And I think that is born from us being friends and building this world that feels like friendship for a lot of people.”
“brent iii” concludes with “good things” — a soul-stirring song reminiscing on love’s fragility. Zucker and Cutler said its ending position in the tracklist highlights how good things can’t last forever.
Cutler said the two may collaborate in the future, whether that be through “brent” or other artistic creations.
“Life is long, who knows what will happen,” Cutler said.
“brent iii” is available on all major streaming platforms.
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