“state of mind” by Brother Bird: The Greatness of Sincerity in Making Music

Today, I came across “state of mind” by Nashville-based indie artist Brother Bird, and it instantly hooked me. It’s a track from the album “another year”, which ironically came out last year, making me the one who missed it (I had to wait another year to discover it—if you don’t get my dad joke).

I’ll stand tall and say I’m not ashamed of missing something if I eventually come across it. Furthermore, “state of mind”—and Brother Bird’s music in general—is something I don’t think belongs to any specific era. You could try to classify it as indie pop or alternative, but it’s so unbound by any particular sound that it makes every music lover a potential fan of Brother Bird.

So let me tell you more about the song. “state of mind” grabbed my attention thanks to a great hook at the beginning, but like with any good song, that’s only part of the magic. What convinced me to hit the “follow” button is how authentic the artist sounds. Her lyrics, even while exploring themes of frustration and restlessness, are laid out so beautifully and naturally that you can truly feel them. Musically, it’s a light yet rich piece that keeps your ears engaged throughout the track’s entirety.

Speaking of hooks—after listening to more of the artist's songs, I’m convinced that Brother Bird is a genius at crafting them. You can sense it not only in “state of mind” but across the entire album, especially tracks like “quitter” and “suburbs”.

And don’t let the word “hook” scare you off here. I’m not using it to refer to a cheap gimmick where something repetitive is forced into your memory. Quite the opposite. Passion for music and the artist’s intimate relationship with its fragility shine through. You can hear clearly that she only puts out melodies and instrumentals she’s genuinely comfortable with. That’s why her records sound so natural—she doesn’t even seem like she’s trying too hard.

When I dug deeper into Brother Bird’s (aka singer/songwriter Caroline Glaser) biography, it turned out she’s no newcomer to the field. She had a strong start when one of her first YouTube videos caught the attention of Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra. This led to a success story, as Andy mentored Caroline and supported her early work. Since then, Brother Bird has consistently delivered excellent music, with several full-length albums already under her belt.

Brother Bird’s potential is undeniable, and she proves it through hard work—not only by releasing great songs but also by touring extensively and bringing joy to listeners who seek happiness in life’s little moments.

I’m happy to include “state of mind” in IndieWave FM’s Laid-back Indie Rock playlist. Check it out here:

Artwork of album another year (2024)