Album Review: Brent III – Chelsea Cutler & Jeremy Zucker
Brent III is more than just an album; it’s a return to an intimate, safe world that Chelsea Cutler and Jeremy Zucker have been quietly crafting since 2019. Released as their first full-length collaboration, this album isn’t a polished pop hit machine. Instead, it’s an immersive, honest piece of art that feels as if you're paging through an old scrapbook filled with raw, bittersweet memories.
The record dives into big themes—loss, love, friendship, and the beauty of small, ordinary moments—with an authenticity that has marked the Brent project from the start. Jeremy and Chelsea’s chemistry is the heart of this universe. Across 11 tracks, their voices blend and intertwine like two friends finishing each other’s sentences, reflecting both their musical and personal connection. They’ve clearly reached a new level of comfort and maturity in their songwriting, which feels introspective but light, like a late-night conversation with a close friend.
Tracks like “And The Government Too!” and “Ashes & Rust” highlight Brent III’s emotional range. “And The Government Too!” perfectly embodies Brent’s spontaneous, conversational style—born from a casual line during a writing session, it captures the frustration of love and distance with humor and heart. “Ashes & Rust” dives into generational trauma and family, offering a quiet depth that resonates long after it fades out. “Good Things,” the album’s closing track, might be one of its most touching moments, with its soaring melody and melancholic reminder that “good things never stay.” It’s an emotional bow on an album full of life’s transient, special moments, underlined by the sound of Chelsea’s own home videos at the end—a perfect encapsulation of nostalgia.
But what really sets Brent III apart is its tone. This isn’t an album pushing a message; it’s more of a shared experience. Chelsea and Jeremy turn everyday moments and simple pleasures into miniature universes, romanticizing everything from a crush to the pain of growing up and apart. The vulnerability here isn’t in big declarations but in small admissions, the kind that feels like confessionals between friends.
Musically, Brent III stays true to the folksy, indie-pop aesthetic that made the first two EPs so beloved, but this time, it’s layered with a bit more experience and a bit more wear. The album’s production has an “in the room” feel; the reverb-heavy vocals and subtle guitar strums create a warm, cabin-like space, as if they recorded it in a cabin in the woods (which, actually, they kind of did). Songs grow and breathe, with swelling builds and stripped-back breaks that mimic the push and pull of emotions themselves.
While some listeners may crave more upbeat tempos or catchy hooks, Brent III feels no need to force its way into mainstream playlists. It’s a record that rewards patience and presence, like slowly flipping through pages of an old diary. This full-length expansion of the Brent world brings a depth and intimacy that’s rare in music today. It’s unhurried, unguarded, and just a bit nostalgic—qualities that feel refreshing in an era of constant production and perfection.
If you’re a fan of storytelling in music or just need a space to reflect, Brent III is an album you’ll find yourself returning to, slowly peeling back layers with each listen. For Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler, Brent may have started as a creative escape, but Brent III proves it’s a place they—and their fans—can always come home to.
