Br'er

Nobody can claim that Philadelphia, PA native Benjamin Schurr (the lead singer and songwriter behind Br'er) isn't invested in his music. Like Conor Oberst before him, Schurr throws himself vocally into every track, at times emphatically belting out coarse notes beyond his vocal range, while at others swaying dramatically from note to note as though singing were ballroom dancing. But City of Ice showcases more than just a young singer pouring out his heart; it's an album of finely crafted tunes that demonstrates a knack for instrumentation, space and pacing. Yes, Shurr's second album is, at times, overbearingly romantic, but he balances the melodrama with enough varied timbres and dynamics to keep City of Light a compelling record worthy of repeat listening.