A sincerely personal and introspective work from beginning to end, we’re overjoyed with this newest album from Elliot Szabo titled Brave. Keep reading as we share our in-depth review on the record, in addition to a background on this artist.

Recorded with an all star team that includes Grammy Award-winning engineer Jimmy Nutt (Jason Isbel), Bobbi Ferrari (Dee Snider), and so many more, Elliot Szabo really did surround himself with the greats to create a stellar performance and album. It’s called Brave and although it’s instrumentally vibrant and inventive, the heart and soul of it comes directly through in its imagery-filled lyricism. Elliot has undoubtedly created something transcendent here and we’re urging everyone out there to please give it a play.

On the background of it all, Elliot has stated that he began working on this shortly after an attempted suicide while living in Las Vegas. Having struggled with depression, each one of those songs depicts his personal journey and takes a look at who he was before and now who he’s transformed into after. Coming in at 10 total tracks that span right around 40 minutes in length, immediately it comes off as one of those true album experiences that only makes sense when listened to uninterrupted from start to finish. Although there’s plenty of songs here worthy of being “singles”, the entire experience speaks volumes when you take into consideration that it’s an actual person’s life being talked about, as opposed to manufactured stories like so much other music shared today.

Putting the message aside for just a moment, another major highlight for us was how complex the actual style and genre feel here. It does a perfect job of blurring the lines sonically, yet really feels like something unique to itself. There’s infusions of Rock, Americana, and stripped back singer songwriter ballads, but it all comes together at the end for a supremely cohesive listen. Elliot’s voice cuts through and sets the tone and vibe from the get go, but also is the resounding emotion driver of Brave. Don’t get us wrong, we loved all of the guitar solos and instrumental breakdowns, but given the record’s context, our attention gravitated towards the absolute masterclass in songwriting that this album provides. It’s almost as if you’re creating a music video in your head as you begin to connect all the dots.

With that being said, please don’t let us spoil much else, it’s now time to listen! You can do so by clicking the links below and also to follow along in order to stay up to date for all major news in 2023. Enjoy!

Like what you read? Follow our social media and playlist for the latest in independent music:

Elliot Szabo creates intensely personal listening experience on album, "Brave"