Song of the Day: MICHAELBRAILEY - I Lose Myself

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “I Lose Myself” by MICHAELBRAILEY from the 2014 Pericardial EP on Hush Hush Records.

MICHAELBRAILEY - I Lose Myself (MP3)

Currently a student at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, the 18 year-old composer Michael Brailey's output delves into the worlds of both electronic music and more traditional arrangements. A Principal Composer in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Brailey has also seen success as a DJ and remixer, and last month, he released his debut EP, a six-track effort entitled Pericardial, named for the medical procedure to remove fluid built up around the heart, subsequently relieving pressure. Each of the tracks was composed to explore a different type of love, and on "I Lose Myself", Brailey explores fraternal love, speaking to a friend who's damaged their friendship. Warping his vocals with a heavy layer of both distortion and echo, "I Lose Myself" functions as an electronic "Marvin's Room", relying more on atmosphere and tone than cadence or structure, but it's a clever, effective approach. On "I Lose Myself", Brailey reveals himself to be a skilled sonic architect, knowing how to manipulate musical elements into compositions that gradually reveal their brilliance.

Currently, Michael Brailey doesn't have any shows announced, but keep track of any music or gig announcements over at his Facebook and Soundcloud. Below, watch Brailey discuss a piece that he wrote for the National Youth Orchestra, followed by a performance of it.