Briston Maroney’s Sophomore LP Shines Bright - “Ultrapure” Review
Singer-songwriter Briston Maroney released his second full-length album Ultrapure on Friday, Sept. 22. It comes two years after their debut Sunflower and marks a shift in gears in his discography.
The indie star rose to fame after “Freaking Out on the Interstate” gained immense popularity in 2020. After a batch of pop-fueled singles like “Paradise” and “Oregon” from the past two years, Maroney finds himself making introspective and primarily guitar-based tracks that fully display their artistry at its full capacity.
The record opens with the aptly-titled “Intro,” a shorter version of a later song on the record where only an acoustic guitar and nature sounds accompany Maroney’s voice. “I was born to forgive you / Ultrapure like a child,” he sings. Pop music is embedded across much of Ultrapure. “Chaos Party” is a Bleachers-esque track with little guitar plucks and low-pitched, heavily reverbed guitar picking on the chorus, as they sing, “Cheeks flushed red, all dressed in black / Pretty good chance that we’ll never come back.” It is a unique sound for the singer but makes for one of the most compelling directions that he takes on the record.
Previously-released single “Sunshine” is a glimmering acoustic-based indie pop song that displays someone’s love bringing light to dark times. “I wanna thank you / For loving me when I just don’t know what to say,” they coo. Maroney never sacrifices songwriting for a catchy pop tune, though, across any of these. “Detonator” touches on the underlying fears of a romantic relationship. He does this by comparing letting go of his fears to taking hands off of a detonator. “I bet he knows you in ways I don’t / But he was fool enough to let you,” they sing, regarding his partner’s ex-lover.
With the soaring pop tunes come some more stripped-back ones that soar just as well. “Sunburn Fades,” the record’s second single, is where Maroney gets as raw as possible. Singing powerfully across themes of anxiously awaiting what time brings, he sings, “Does it get better than this? / It will or it won’t or we’ll just get used to it.” It is a weary statement but the delivery of it brings a sense of hopefulness and acceptance to it. The swaying track “The Idea” is a doting love song that has the best songwriting on the album. They sing in the chorus, “I think I’m finally giving it up / The idea I could ever deserve all your love / I put my money down on me fucking up / You remind me that that would be worth it.” The idea (no pun intended) is one that many singers scratch the surface of but Maroney paints scenes across the verses that make it special.
What makes Ultrapure shine is Maroney’s ability to make light out of even the most dreary situation. His songwriting is cohesive across the record and is always on par with the production, whether it is a guitar track amping up or scattered drum flurries. The songs are polished while remaining utmostly personal from his writing and vocal performances. It is a testament to Maroney’s evolution in indie music and solidifies them as one of the most valuable voices in the genre.
Ultrapure is now available to buy or stream on all platforms.