Brayden Mullins – Burn You Out (Single Review)

Brayden Mullins has a new single out, ‘Burn You Out’. His artist info says that Brayden Mullins encompasses the following genres: traditional mountain music, country, and bluegrass. Beth Isbell has previously reviewed some of the muso’s music. She found him to have a country voice, his songs being all about the lyrics.

In a way, I’ve got my work cut out for me with this review since I know what to expect going in: the voice and the lyrics.

In ‘burn you out’, Brayden Mullins takes over thirty seconds to introduce the vocals. There is an endearing quality to the instrumentation, even as it leans into a moody, melodic melancholy. It’s a sonic blend that dances across the ears, giving you this and that instrumentation. There is a wooden, tactile quality to the arrangement that hits with the force of a kick drum, piercing through the melody straight to the heart.

But if the instrumentation is on point, the vocals are tight as well. Brayden Mullins sings with a fascinating reluctance, sounding less like a pop star and more like a sweeter-toned Bob Dylan. His vocal presence is naturally arresting; while it risks becoming overbearing, it maintains a compelling, never-annoying restraint.

Thematically, the narrative follows a lyrical persona passing by the yard of a Vietnam veteran. As he observes the old man dancing alone on his kitchen floor, he poignantly concludes that the veteran’s mind is beginning to slip.

The track’s tension peaks with the arresting, almost menacing line: ‘Don’t make me have to burn you out’.

SCORE/Good: I would have rated this song as ‘excellent’ had the lyrics been more discernible. While both the instrumentation and the vocals are remarkably tight, the track ultimately misses the mark because it’s so difficult to follow the words. It is a missed opportunity, as Brayden Mullins possesses the kind of vocal magnetism that usually compels a listener to sing along.

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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