Some albums feel like they've been waiting decades to be made and without a doubt, "Slightly Out of Focus" is that kind of record. After a literal 19 year hiatus from music, Claremont, California singer and songwriter Brendan Ranney has finally made his return with his debut solo album that just got released. In our sincere opinion, it's honestly one of the most emotionally rich comeback stories you'll hear this year. Prepare for an actual album experience.

The path back to music for Ranney is a moving one to say the least. Following a period of personal loss and life situations that pulled him away from songwriting entirely, he found his way back in 2022 after discovering a box of his late father's poetry. That moment reignited a creative voice he thought had gone quiet for good and you can feel that rediscovery in every corner of this record. "Slightly Out of Focus" is a deeply personal exploration of loss, self reflection, and rediscovery, and it never once feels like it's holding anything back. For us, the album was as powerful on the instrumental end as it was on the lyrics side. It truly made us want to listen to his stories instead of just rockin’ out at times.

Sonically, the album moves through alternative rock, art rock, and indie rock in a way that feels natural rather than trying too much. There are clear echoes of Ranney's influences throughout, from The Police to REM, but he filters all of that through his own soulful, guitar driven lens. The instrumentation across these ten tracks is genuinely incredible, organic and textured, giving each song real depth. Though we’ll say his voice leads the way.

…and what a voice it is. Ranney sings with real soul throughout, expressive and emotional in a way that makes every lyric feel like you’re living his story. There's a rawness to his delivery that pairs beautifully with the album's introspective themes. Some major standouts on that end were “Last Ride”, “I Don’t Want to Go”, and “Here with You”.

At 10 songs and 36 glorious minutes, "Slightly Out of Focus" moves with intention and it never overstays its welcome but still gives each track room to breathe and land fully. This is an album meant to be experienced front to back, and it absolutely delivers on that promise. The production throughout is exceptional too. We felt it was polished enough to let every detail shine while never sanding away the record's raw edge. It even came down to the mixing. We know we put a lot of weight on his vocals but the choice to have them sort of in the middle of the whole mix and let the instrumentation build around him made everything pop just a little bit more.

It should go without saying, but "Slightly Out of Focus" is a beautiful return to form. Sometimes you have to step away for a bit and find your way back on your own terms. This is a soulful, deeply human record, and a wonderful reintroduction to an artist clearly worth the nearly two decade wait. So please, go ahead and click those links below to listen in and of course to follow along for plenty more, hopefully!

Listen to “Slightly Out of Focus”

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Brendan Ranney makes a triumphant return with album, "Slightly Out of Focus"