Cochlear Implant

Jay Malinowski
Bright Lights & Bruises
(Pirates Blend)
***1/2
Every band’s frontman seems to have a solo singer-songwriter inside waiting for an opportunity to put out material that’s been on the back burner for years, or maybe a lifetime. Perhaps it’s the reckless touring life that brings it out, or perhaps it’s just their true calling. Bedouin Soundclash is known for everything summer: great strumming vibes, bouncy reggae and inspired sing-a-longs. Bedouin singer Jay Malinowski’s first foray into the solo world is a work distinctly different. Bright Lights & Bruises is a somber and piano-tinged expression of Malinowski’s apparent respect for deep contemplation and everything wholeheartedly different from Bedouin’s summer sound. And although there are some elements of Bedouin’s distinctive sound here, for the most part, Bright Lights & Bruises is a stark contrast to Bedouin. Stand out tracks like “There is a Light,” “Loving Hand” and the familiar “Santa Monica” make this release a nice reminder of why solo material can work well — and how deviation often shows off the true, stripped down talents of an artist.