Single File: Brand New - "I Am a Nightmare"

7 GOOD

It's better than nothing at all, but having two new songs from Brand New in as many years while we wait for the full-length follow-up to 2009's Daisy is kind of a cruel tease. That said, I Am a Nightmare takes on a completely different flavour from last year's hard and spiky Mene; it has an almost pop-punk lean that sounds kind of like the band's early material (although sprinkled with a little Interpolesque indie spice). It sounds good, though, and feels good too. If this ends up being the only music we get from Brand New this year, I suppose it'll tide me over until that long gestating fifth LP finally sees light of day.

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