Singer Tom Burtless described the album’s genesis as a retrospective look at their unreleased material around the band’s tenth anniversary mark. Their guiding principle for completing these songs was one of restraint: minimal new elements were incorporated, existing arrangements were largely preserved, and any intelligible lyrics remained, forcing Burtless to inhabit the perspectives of his younger self. This constraint, rather than being a limitation, seems to have given way to something special.

Sonically, New Life draws on HB’s familiar synthpop touchstones, echoing influences like MGMT’s playful melodies, Tears for Fears’ sophisticated synth arrangements, and the sleek, modern production of Tame Impala’s newer material. It’s a blend that feels both nostalgic and contemporary; existing Braggers fans will find comfort here. The excellent production is the thread that stiches everything together, keeping a decade’s worth of retooled ideas impressively cohesive from album top to bottom.

Several tracks stand out. The first single, “How Do I Get to You,” originally demoed in 2017, evokes the metallic, danceable vibes of The Weeknd’s beautifully purgatorial Dawn FM. It’s instantly one of Humble Braggers’ best tracks, making its previous status as a B-side difficult to fathom. The verses of 2016’s “Desire” throw a fun curveball, showcasing a unique arrangement where the vocals, guitar, and bass converge in a hypnotic choreography before the trance snaps and the choruses soar. “Out of Bounds,” the newest track on the record, is an instrumental synthwave piece from 2022 that wouldn’t sound at all out of place soundtracking the hazy-cool 80’s vibes of Stranger Things. Album closer “Changing Paths,” another 2017 demo, possibly from Braggers’ I Know Better, I’m No Better era, boasts a massive anthemic chorus and a signature Humble Braggers synth lead, providing a fitting end to the album.

It’s clear that New Life is more than just a handful of outtakes; it’s a sonic time capsule of fully-realized selections that just needed some extra time to germinate. There’s a certain intimacy in the rediscovery of these songs, like flipping through old snapshots–but instead of putting them back in the box, Humble Braggers have given them a new home as a compelling, cohesive whole.

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The casual instrumental jam “Wax & Wane” centers around an infectious synth progression, paired with static drums and a strong bass groove to make for a jazzy, contemplative feel. Listen to/download Free Of.. below.

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