SINGLE REVIEW: Ben Brown - Know What You Know
Ben Brown takes the indie ballad and warps it into something entirely his own with ‘Know What You Know’—a track that is equal parts melancholic, gritty, and unpredictably experimental. Opening with a gentle piano line, the song starts off fragile and sparse, setting a sombre tone before slowly pulling in soft strings and delicate guitar. Brown’s vocals arrive with a rawness that feels deeply personal—slightly off-key in a way that radiates authenticity rather than imperfection. There’s an unpolished honesty here that makes every word land that much harder.
But just as you think you know where the track is heading, it shifts. Blasts of erratic, atmospheric distortion break through the mix, momentary bursts of noise disrupting the song’s otherwise steady pulse. This formula repeats throughout, keeping things unpredictable while adding layers of texture and tension. A sweeping guitar solo arrives as the track’s most cinematic moment, before it once again pulls back into its subdued, melancholic core. It’s indie songwriting at its most freeform, refusing to be boxed into a single style or structure.
‘Know What You Know’ feels pensive and deeply introspective, using elements of noise rock to challenge the conventions of an indie ballad. It’s not an easy listen, but that’s exactly what makes it compelling—Brown leans into discomfort and imperfection, creating something that feels refreshingly real. A haunting, creative, and thought-provoking piece of music.
