Singles Spotlight:
Brent Penny –
“Need”

Penny’s first EP was Choose the Right in 2019, followed by Growing Deeper, Getting Mutable EP (2024). And in mid-November, Friday the 13th to be exact, he’ll be releasing his Rings Loud EP. While I liked those previous EPs and would recommend listening to them, I am looking forward to this new EP. It’s Penny’s most ambitious project to date. And arguably his best.

To learn a bit more about this upcoming EP, let’s look at a press release for Penny: “He’s been living in Chicago for several years, though he recorded these songs a few years ago back in his home of Minnesota with Nat Harvie (Low, Circuit des Yeux, Trampled by Turtles, more). The EP also features Alan Sparhawk (Low), Cole Pulice, Nona Invie, and Chicago’s own V.V. Lightbody… Nat also produced and mixed the EP, and Alec Ness mastered it (Bon Iver, Bonnie Prince Billy, more).” Consider me intrigued. How about you?

Now let’s delve into the song “Need” by starting with the single’s artwork.

As far as the credits go, Nat Harvie (Low, Circuit des Yeux, Trampled by Turtles) produced it, with Alan Sparhawk contributing on drum machine and guitar, and Cole Pulice on saxophone. On Penny’s Bandcamp page for the song, he also gives co-writing credits to Harvie.

The song opens with Penny’s strong vocals and confident lyrics, paired with drum machine and synth beats. Guitars soon jangle and bounce around. Penny’s lyrics lead into a fantastic sax solo by Pulice as the beat pushes forward. The intensity of the vocals resumes, and the melody matches the pacing and energy before a melodic shift into more synth waters happens. All in all, I think this song is a great introduction to the songwriting and songcraft of Penny. Thus, we are here for yet another lovely entry to SWT’s Singles Spotlight series. While the melodies have varied over time, his vocal tone, delivery, and songwriting continue to stand out. But don’t just take my word for it, press play and listen to the song “Need” for yourself!

Here’s the track list for Rings Loud EP (out 11/13):

1. Rings Loud
2. Buddy (ft Alan Sparhawk, V.V. Lightbody)
3. Need (ft Alan Sparhawk, Cole Pulice)
4. Airplane 2.0 (ft Alan Sparhawk, Cole Pulice, Nona Invie)