Brother
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"Brother" is a song by Humanist, released as a single on June 11, 2024. It also will appear on the album, On The Edge of a Lost and Lonely World, to be released on July 26, 2024.
Lyrics
In my dreams and in your lonely mind
I have thrown my heart into the fire
Burns as brightly as the sun can blind
Brother, I've got your back
Don't worry, enjoy the ride
Little brother, there's no coming back
I'm always by your side
All the treasure that you have given me
Buried deep beneath my secret history
All of the welcome times
You have distracted me
I know you're sinking down
Into the restless sea
Brother I've got your back
Don't worry enjoy the ride
Little brother, there's no coming back
I'm always by your side
Hey now
Hey now
You can climb out of this hole
You can purge your saddest soul
By the river's dark repose
Where the branches hang so low
You can carry yourself home
To the brothers you have known
To a son that can't be broken
Brother, I've got your back
Don't worry enjoy the ride
Little brother, there's no coming back
I'm always by your side
Hey now
Hey now
Laughing when the joke is over
Singing when the music's dead
Talking to yourself until
The spirits raise their worried heads
Heavy devils on your shoulders
Holding up the falling down
Don't bemoan that you're not thoughtless
You dont need to work it out
To work it out
Little brother there's no coming back
I'm always by your side
Brother
Brother
My Take
I first read that this song was written as a tribute to the late Mark Lanegan, so right away, I noticed the somewhat melancholy feel to this song, though there is somewhat of an uplift, as well. Just like the first Humanist-Dave Gahan collaboration, the sound of this slow/moderate rock track very much reminds me of the post-punk style of the early '80s. It is very heavy on the guitar and drums though there can also be piano and strings heard, especially at the beginning, to set the initial somber tone. Combined with Dave's vocals, it also almost reminds me of the sound of his Paper Monsters album, particularly "Hidden Houses." Just like how the piano and strings evoke a sad feeling in the beginning, Dave's vocals also do so when he begins singing in a somewhat soft and doleful manner. Then, the mood seems to be lifted when he starts belting out the chorus and the bright-sounding guitars come to the forefront.
The lyrics seem to describe a close relationship between two people- if taken literally, that of a wiser and older brother talking to his less experienced younger brother, but it could also be interpreted as the relationship between a mentor-mentee or quite simply, between close friends. The person that is speaking is giving comfort and encouragement to the other person that he calls his "little brother" as they seem to be going through a rough patch in their life. The "older brother" has gone through plenty of rough patches of his own and knows exactly how to get through them, though he also sympathizes with the other person's struggles. Though the most important thing that this "older brother" wants to convey is that he will never leave his "little brother's" side throughout the whole ordeal. What makes these words particularly interesting is that Rob Marshall, himself, cited that Mark Lanegan used to call him "brother."1 So, this song is a very personal ode to the person who must've helped him get through tough times. Dave has not yet said what this song means to him, personally, but I am willing to bet that he feels similarly to Rob as he was also a close friend of Mark's.
Music Video
The video rotates through various black-and-white scenes of city streets, forests, and other stylized, non-descript images. Almost every scene is mirrored either on the horizontal or vertical axis. Interspersed throughout these scenes are also that of non-mirrored ones of Rob walking through or admiring these same settings. Another recurring scene is also that of a shadow of a hand reaching towards a wall upon which the faint outline of a person can be seen on it. The very last scene shows the calm surface of water with light casting sparkles upon it.
My Take
Some videos tell stories plainly while others are more abstract and simply evoke certain emotions. This video seems to be of the latter type as there really isn't a traditional story being told by it. The various scenes being quickly traversed through seem to be set side-by-side with the slower-paced scenes of Rob walking or standing alone, which seems to be a take on life, itself, or rather, what living life must be like while grieving for somoene. Mark Lanegan's passing has no doubt deeply affected the lone person clearly seen throughout this video (i.e., Rob) and it is as if they are either stuck in their grief or simply taking the time to quietly reflect on the person who has passed and their memories with them. Life goes on, however, as evidenced by the fast-paced movements of the city and nature scenes around him, though he can't help but miss the other person dearly, as what the scenes of him reaching towards the faint shadow of a figure seem to depict. The last scene with the body of water along with the final sad-sounding note played on strings evokes a strong sense of calm as if signaling the inevitable passage of time.