Ben Browning - Turns (2015)

Ben Browning’s debut solo album sounds like his work with Cut Copy, only toned down a notch. Unlike the songwriter’s main project, these synth-filled tunes don’t aim to reach any anticipatory climax. The album moseys on, never exceeding a mild tempo. The tempo, lyrics, and album and track titles — everything about Turns signifies a turning point for Browning.

Lyrically, Browning crafts a metaphor that spans the whole album. On the surface, his words address a woman, probably a former love, though they also speak to the person Browning was before he became a solo artist. On opening track “Back to the Start”, Browning sings, “You can’t see what she’s done to your heart/ You’ll go back to the start.” Though he’s probably referring to the start of a relationship, the line could also apply to the start of his solo career. On “Friends of Mine”, he sings, “Everyone, look behind/ It’s where I find friends of mine,” suggesting his new endeavor will move him forward while others remain stagnant.

Electronic instrumentation energizes each song, as Browning’s mostly monotonous vocals contrast with the buoyant production. Bells, chimes, and the ever-present synthesizer are a nostalgic nod to early ‘90s video game soundtracks, and tracks like “Are You Acting” and “Don’t Forget the Night” achieve the groovy disco rhythms that Daft Punk accomplished on Random Access Memories. On the final track, “Azizam”, Browning asks, “Can we make a change in our lives?” It appears, however, that he’s already answered his own question with a definitive yes. Whether Turns is a precursor or byproduct of change (or a little of both), the turning point fits Browning well.

Tracklist:

01. Back To The Start
02. Make It Easy
03. Friends Of Mine
04. Life Dudes (Tripping Through
05. You Can Be There
06. Are You Acting
07. Don’t Wait Your Turn
08. Beaches Of Love
09. Don’t Forget The Night
10. Azizam