We previously shared a philosophical review of Brandes’ From The Higher Ground, so when we heard that the artist was back with Love In Two Degrees, we couldn’t wait to immerse ourselves in his universe again and share our experience.
Love In Two Degrees opens with an 80s adjacency and brooding vocals as Brandes conveys vulnerability with the prose, “There’s trouble in the eyes of the woman I knew, there’s rubble in the garden where flowers grew, the day’s defeated, the nights are long, it’s been that way since she’s been gone…”
We appreciate the timeless nature of the soundscape, intricate and cinematic with textured drums and captivating guitar layers. Brandes’ poetic prowess and the narrative that he shares is sublime. We appreciate the raw authenticity that transmutes, and the unfolding story of love and hope.
Vocally, fans of Leonard Cohen will absolutely be able to connect with what Brandes delivers. There is a half-spoken, world-weary quality to his performance, which makes sense from the story of the song, and also the fact that he is a former politician. We also hear shades of The Pretenders in the jangling guitar and driving rhythm, whilst the songwriting also carries the emotional vibes of Joni Mitchell and Nick Cave.
In essence, Love In Two Degrees begins in the aftermath of a relationship. The imagery is bleak. There is rubble where flowers once grew. Yet beneath the darkness is the possibility of renewal. The seasons seem to shift alongside Brandes‘s emotional state, moving from a somewhat barren winter towards the possibility of spring and new love.
What makes the song particularly compelling is the ambiguity. We question if this new love is genuine? Or is it simply something Brandes just wants to believe in? That uncertainty gives Love In Two Degrees emotional complexity.
Cinematic in its storytelling, we could imagine Love In Two Degrees landing a sync placement in Sofia Coppola or Luca Guadagnino film or a TV show like Normal People, or perhaps a late-night scene in One Day. It could also work well in a film like Past Lives, where love, memory and the roads not taken occupy a central space.
Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added Love In Two Degrees to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Brandes, including the entirety of his album, The Distance Between Dreams.