PETE BRILEY SHARES BEACHY NEW SINGLE ‘COLOUR (CALIFORNIA)

SINGLE REVIEW | PETE BRILEY – COLOUR (CALIFORNIA) by Martha Munro 4/5

After the release of his highly-acclaimed debut solo album Pete Briley in 2023, the singer-songwriter proved that he could successfully go it alone too; as a member of the band The Outlaw Orchestra, Briley has been releasing a long and loved collection of country-rock tunes over the past six years. But Colour (California), Briley’s fifth, summery, solo pop single, couldn’t be more of a shift; he’s no one trick pony.

The song’s abundant, upbeat personality is immediately established in just the first few bars. The use of a four-bar pattern containing varying numbers of beats per bar creates an off-kilter and catchy rhythm, maintaining the flow but managing to keep the beat changing and tip-toeing too. The heavy thump of the bass drum pairs with the contrastingly high-toned electric guitar to open – and power – the whole track before the full drum pattern kicks in, with the spacey electric guitar filling more musical space to give the entire sound a smooth, summery, driving-to-the-beach feel.

And this is only heightened by Briley’s recognisably retro voice: a strong, high croon that harmoniously narrates a musical love letter to California. The lyrics are sentimental, retrospective and (aptly) colourful, partnering effectively with the upbeat nature of the track to just ooze with excitement. Despite the clear stylistic differences between this track and the tracks of The Outlaw Orchestra, the singer’s voice still harbours a slight country twang, which, in the rippling smoothness of this song, gives the number a slight edge, not to mention a sentimental nostalgia.

The chorus, while undeniably simplistic, is uplifting and cohesive, with background vocals layering in a quiet euphoria behind the melody line. The electric guitar is once again lifted to the forefront of the sound with standout variations in the melody; there is beautiful use of mixing here, allowing the guitar to take centre stage but still blending it just enough with the other elements of the track, gliding us effortlessly into the second verse.

Later, as the key moves up a notch to begin the bridge, the listener finds that this is the perfect time for a change, with new and welcome melodic patterns weaving in with the array of sound. Once more, the harmonic vocal layers just amplify the song’s every other element, branching off into different lines of movement before an atmospheric reunion of voice takes place. This high cluster of vocals then leads us into an epic instrumental break: an amped-up, ad-lib-filled electric guitar solo. The significant shift in the guitar’s volume is aided by the equally intensified thumping drum beat, remaining steady as the licks just climb and climb.

And, just as the guitar reaches its summit, we’re plunged back into the familiar chorus hook: ‘You see in colour / In California’. This final, climactic chorus is a culmination of the single’s every element, a heartfelt explosion of summer sounds and the subtle inclusion of extra layers in different instrument lines just highlights the happiness. And to wind it all down, the drum beat reduces and variates, smoothly blurring out each element as it disappears, bringing us into the song’s fading synth-sunset closer.

So, yes, the structure of Colour (California) may be basic – but it works. Pete Briley has created a catchy, memorable, sun-soaked hook that’s fringed with lilting beats and just breathes character. If you’re feeling that summer excitement fading as September looms, this August-freezing track just has to go on your playlist.