B-Side Guys

Between the raindrops of Victoria, BC, a quiet revolution is taking place. Jaya Bremer’s sophomore album “Stay Tender,” released November 1st, 2024, transforms pandemic-era isolation into 33 minutes of crystalline electro-pop that sparkles with raw honesty and newfound confidence.

Recording at Victoria’s Dreamclub Studios with producers Austin Tufts (Braids) and Chris Neal, Bremer has crafted ten tracks that map the geography of a heart in transition. Free from concerns about live performance, she’s expanded her sonic palette to include everything from warm vintage synths to R&B-influenced grooves.

The album opens with “I Could Do Better,” a hypnotic statement of intent that sets the tone for what’s to follow. Bremer’s delicate vocals float above danceable beats and nostalgic synthesizers, creating an atmosphere that’s both intimate and expansive. The production here is particularly noteworthy, with each element given room to breathe while maintaining a cohesive sound.

“My Expectations” delves into the shifting sands of pandemic relationships, its layered arrangement mirroring the complexity of human connection in isolation. The track demonstrates Bremer’s growth as both songwriter and arranger, drawing influence from artists like Metronomy and Solange while maintaining her distinct voice.

“Lost in the Plot” emerges as one of the album’s standout moments. A breakup song that refuses easy categorization, its lyrics capture the contradictory emotions of ending a long-term relationship with remarkable precision. “I’m of two minds, one’s dead set on putting miles between us / But I’d still like to have our toes touch at night” encapsulates the kind of specific detail that makes Bremer’s writing so compelling.

The album’s middle section, including “Cold Summer” and “Our Potential,” showcases Bremer’s ability to balance introspection with movement. These tracks wouldn’t sound out of place on a Men I Trust album, yet they maintain an authenticity that’s uniquely her own.

“Apartment 4” provides one of the album’s most vulnerable moments. Its sparse arrangement allows Bremer’s lyrics to take center stage as she contemplates the legacy we leave behind in the spaces and people we’ve loved. The repeated question “What kind of legacy will I leave?” haunts long after the song ends.

“My Power, My Time” and “Fruitless” demonstrate Bremer’s command of different genres, moving seamlessly between electronic textures and more organic arrangements. The influence of Robyn can be heard in these tracks’ fearless approach to emotional honesty through a pop lens.

The album closes with its title track, “Stay Tender,” a sun-breaking-through-clouds moment that feels earned rather than forced. The song’s message about maintaining kindness in an often harsh world is delivered with such sincerity that it transcends potential cliché. When Bremer sings “Stay tender, even when you wanna run away,” it feels like both a personal mantra and a universal truth.

What sets “Stay Tender” apart is its fearless approach to genre-blending and emotional authenticity. Bremer has created an album that feels both carefully crafted and spontaneously alive. The production throughout is crystalline, allowing both the electronic and organic elements to shine while maintaining a cohesive sound that ties the collection together.

Lyrically, Bremer continues to prove herself as one of Canada’s most compelling storytellers. Her ability to capture complex emotional states with precision and grace elevates these songs beyond simple pop constructions. The pandemic’s influence can be felt throughout, not as a weight but as a catalyst for deeper self-reflection and artistic freedom.

For fans of Bremer’s 2020 debut “Everybody’s Getting Married,” this sophomore effort represents significant growth while maintaining the core qualities that made her work compelling in the first place. For newcomers, “Stay Tender” serves as a perfect introduction to her unique artistic voice.

As the final notes fade away, it’s clear that Jaya Bremer has created something special with “Stay Tender.” It’s an album that captures a specific moment in time while speaking to universal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. In choosing tenderness as both title and theme, Bremer reminds us that vulnerability isn’t weakness – it’s the source of our greatest strength.

In a musical landscape often dominated by cynicism or forced positivity, “Stay Tender” charts a different course. It’s an album that acknowledges pain while choosing hope, that embraces complexity while remaining accessible, and that proves sometimes the bravest thing we can do is remain open to love.