Drawing us in with an acoustic guitar soundscape and astral whistle tone, manifesting a playful energy, Brandon Frizzell opens Distracted with charm and a relatable message as he sings, “Waking up to the pouring rain, doom scroll, here we go again, I’ve lost all senses, I might need new lenses, cause I can’t believe all the things I see… Everyone so casually keeps scrolling by, for that next dopamine high, it’s got me asking where did we go wrong?”
We appreciate the zeitgeist message of the song, which is essentially about the notion of human connection. It is about the modern struggle with technology. Brandon contemplates how he can’t believe how numb society feels, which is a very notable observation if you look at the world today.
At work, he feels trapped in a routine that drains his spirit. The bottle of gin nearby symbolizes a quiet escape that many might turn to when faced with loneliness and meaninglessness. In essence, the song paints a picture of isolation and loss, even when surrounded by constant online noise.
In the final verse, Brandon calls for change. He urges us to step away from our devices, to reconnect with nature, and rediscover the simple joys of life. The repeated question “Where did we go wrong?” becomes a plea for humanity to wake up, love again, and find purpose beyond the screen.
We love the subtle echoed vocals and the whistle solo, which reminds us of Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson. The addition of the piano riffs adds further dimensionality to the piece. It feels like the song would be incredible to experience live with the crowd singing the echoes back. Brandon’s delivery switch-ups between singing, rapping and spoken words are awesome and showcase his dynamism as an artist.
The initial inspiration behind the song is also intriguing as Brandon confesses, “After seeing the publicized stuff of Charlie Kirk being killed, it inspired me to write a song about everyone being so distracted – not knowing what’s truth anymore. Seeing the way the world responded in a negative political way, losing sight of a man who lost his life and [who] his young family will never see him again.”
He philosophically adds, “Distraction is a modern reflection on how technology and constant connectivity are quietly eroding REAL human connection. It speaks to a generation glued to screens but longing for something real…”
We love the message and have added Distracted to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we continue to stream Brandon Frizzell‘s wider discography, including I Need You, and Crossroads!