Publicity Department and the vague dissonance, leading tones, artful confessions of "Sheltered Life" (Official Video)

 

"21 years old with a moustache / How can I compete with that? / How could I agree with that?"


The vague dissonance, leading tones, artful confessions of "Sheltered Life" by Publicity Department, the solo project of Sean Brook, singer and primary songwriter from London's alt-rock triers Brunch, is exquisitely interesting, compelling in it's somber shapes and emotional constructions. This may seem odd but hearing "Sheltered Life" for the first time and I thought of Paul McCartney (circa Ram album) and Pavement and Marcy Playground. The song, not only feels melancholy, in both temperament sonically / lyrically but the guitar notes (rhythmic and lead) have that kind of emotional tension like stepping off a sidewalk without knowing it. That kind of hushed angst and release when you realize you are not going to die. 

LINER NOTES bracketed: 

[New single 'Sheltered Life' is a stripped back lo-fi ode to missed opportunities. Building from sparsely picked detuned guitars and plaintive vocals to a final catharsis of power chords and harmonies, 'it's about realising maybe you aren't quite as worldly as you thought and coming to terms with the difference between who you think you are and who you actually are'. The single is Publicity Department's first release on Safe Suburban Home, with an album to follow in early 2025.]

SOME LYRICS:

"When I was young I thought I knew the world
Didn't have anybody telling me I was wrong
Seven years with your head in the sand
Listening to just one band
Because there is only one band

I have lived a sheltered life
I have lived a sheltered life
Nothing too much, just out of sight
I have lived a sheltered life"

"Sheltered Life" is such a lovely, impactful introduction to Publicity Department. Sean Brook, thus far anyway, feels like a kindred spirit. Everything about this track feels perfect from the core song and it's ability to transfix, to the rolling bass line, the wonderful expressive guitar work, the decision to surprise with sounds that feel like a banjo, the perfect indie drumming (not understated or overstated), the droning sounds that feel melotron-esque but are probably electric guitar sustains, that perfectly placed shaker (God I love it) and Brook's vocal countenance that feels like a good friend confessing deep feeling late at night. And, Sean, what band is that? 

-Robb Donker Curtius  

THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1bCsXuYcskXbRAk1XYrDhS

https://publicitydepartment.bandcamp.com/album/old-master

https://www.instagram.com/publicity_department/

https://x.com/pub_dept

https://bsky.app/profile/publicitydept.bsky.social


Publicity Department is the solo project of Sean Brook, singer and primary songwriter from London's alt-rock triers Brunch (“the lost middle ground of Los Campesinos! and Fugazi I didn’t know I’d always wanted”– For The Rabbits). Taking influence from his songwriting heroes David Gedge, Brian Wilson, John Cale and John Shuttleworth; Publicity Department was intended as an outlet for Brook's pop sensibilities whilst retaining the fuzzed-out feel of 90s alt-rock.

Publicity Department, singer songwriter Sean Brook, lead singer from Brunch, London, UK, alt folk, indie rock, abstractions, dissonance, progressive pop, "Sheltered Life" (Official Video),