“Keep Your Light On” by Hugo Brijs: This Is How a 2020s Song Sounds on a 2000s Movie

Even though we’ve entered a new year, 2025, who says we have to just move on and not look back? December was, as usual, busy with the festive agenda, but now that everything is a bit calmer, I took a moment to look back and check what I might have missed in terms of new releases from the end of 2024. And yes indeed, I missed one!

Hugo Brijs and his latest album Creeper, as well as the single “Keep Your Light On,” instantly caught my eye. The second I played the track, it brought back memories of late 2000s and early 2010s movies and soundtracks I used to listen to. It feels so nostalgic to me, as this was the era when I discovered “Blood” by The Middle East in the classic film Crazy, Stupid, Love. It was also the time Submarine came out, along with all of Alex Turner’s solo glory. That was the era I discovered Saintseneca, and they made indie folk sound cool—before, of course, Mumford and Sons popularized it further.

Don’t get me wrong if you think I’m trying to fit this track into an indie folk box. Actually, it’s a song that’s hard to place in one genre. It’s full of cinematic soundscapes, uplifting melodies, and elements that could fit into almost any indie genre. But most importantly, it would fit perfectly into a movie.

I actually spent some time scrolling through Hugo Brijs’ Instagram, and it turns out the artist indeed has something to do with cinema. He’s not just making music—he’s composing for film and games. The visual style of the album and his overall communication is noticeable too—it’s vibrant and stands out from the rest of the noise on social networks. You can definitely feel the artist’s consistency in taste and style.

Music-wise, the song is layered with interesting melodies and patterns. It’s an inventive take instrumentally, where every piece of the arrangement is used creatively, which is part of why it’s hard to pin this song down to a single genre. And let’s not forget the backing wild-nature-inspired vocals (those whooo-whooo’s in the song), which give the track space and make it so catchy. Honestly, they are what make this song the song.

The track is now featured on IndieWave FM’s playlist Vibe Out with Lo-Fi Indie Rock.