There’s no bullshit when it comes to Jay Brannan’s music – what you hear is what you get. And boy, do we like what we hear. By Reg Domingo.

Quite a few things are pretty extraordinary about Jay Brannan. There’s the tenderness of his songs, the poignancy of his lyrics, the sincerity of his videos. And of course, who could forget his touching performance as Ceth in the 2006 film, Shortbus. But the most extraordinary thing about this New York-based singer-songwriter is the searing honesty that permeates his work. No bullshit. No frills. Just Jay.   

 
“The thing that inspires me to write is honesty,” Brannan tells AXN during a recent Sydney tour. “It’s mostly frustration and anger and sadness. It’s almost therapy in a way – I think of it as like suicide prevention. It’s my way to get all these thoughts that have been racing around in my head for years out of myself.”

And nowhere is this more evident than on his latest album, Goddamned, which is filled with moving, folk-inspired ballads laced with commentary that explore the failures and frustrations in Brannan’s life. It’s a meditation on the world according to Jay and on taboo subjects many would deem off-limits. As he has quipped previously, “the word ‘goddamned’ is a pretty appropriate adjective for me, my life, the way I think and feel, and the choices I’ve made”.

Since appearing in Shortbus, the trajectory of Brannan’s career has been on a steep incline. His self-penned song ‘Soda Shop’, which he performed in the film, became the most downloaded track from the movie’s soundtrack, while his homemade video, filmed inside the bathroom of his apartment (or ‘Toilet Studios’, as he calls it), has clocked more than 1.3 million views on YouTube. In fact, it’s through the internet that Brannan has managed to cultivate a loyal following.   

Having recently played to sell-out crowds in Athens, Rome, Berlin, Paris and Sydney, Brannan says he plans to continue to take his music further, both online and on the road, and go wherever the wind takes him.

“I finally have an album and whatever happens from here is just a bonus,” he says. “I’m happy with it. I’m just going to take it as far as it goes and see what happens – it’s a good feeling.”

But he adds: “I feel like I can quit now – I can retire.”

Here’s hoping he doesn’t.

For more information on Brannan, check out jaybrannan.com or myspace.com/jaybrannan  Goddamned is out now via iTunes.

METRONOMY
Night’s Out [Warner]
Celebrated as the ‘best dance album of 2008’ by music bible NME, Night’s Out by Metronomy is an utterly unique proposition in the current pop milieu. A thrilling multi-coloured, richly-textured art-pop gem, it has been cultivated over 10 years by Devon-born founding member Joseph Mount. Think of Cologne’s legendary purveyors of prog-disco, then add early Brian Eno, Sparks, Devo, Talking Heads and Soft Cell, and you’re on the right track.

TEX PERKINS AND HIS LADYBOYZ
No.1’s & No.2’s [Universal]
Tex Perkins has played a key role in Australian music every since he first took to the stage fronting Tex Deadly & The Dum Dums in the early 80s. On offer here in a classic covers album – with tracks such as Hall & Oates’ ‘Rich Girl’, The Stylistics’ ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New’, and Bonnie Tyler’s ‘It’s A Heartache’. Joining Perkins are James Cruickshank, Charlie Owen, Joel Silbersher, Patrick Bourke and Gus Agars – his ‘Ladyboyz’.

JAMES MORRISON
Songs For You, Truths For Me [Universal]
A testimony to the strength of the songs on James Morrison’s debut album Undiscovered is that it yielded no less than five singles and went No 1 in the UK. His sophomore offering once again showcases his distinctive and raw soulful style, but takes it to the next level. Morrison’s big, unashamedly romantic heart and generous spirit shines through the tracks like a beacon, and sees the wide-eyed soul-boy become a wiser man.

T.I.
Paper Trail [Warner]
Since 2001, American rapper T.I. has grown to become one of the most revered and successful artists in his genre, racking up millions in album sales and a myriad of awards, among them two Grammys. On Paper Trail, arguably his most potent and important long player to date, he collaborates with luminaries such as John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Kayne West, Ludacris and Rihanna.

KATE MILLER-HEIDKE
Curiouser [Sony BMG]
Hot on the heels of her impressive debut Little Eve, released only last year, this colourful chanteuse has clocked up another chic collection of songs. Working this time around with Mickey Petralia, who has previous guided the careers of Beck, Peaches and The Dandy Warhols, has given her a strong air of pop-rock purpose. Her rarefied vocal delivery is never less than captivating. Curiouser is seriously impressive.