Every July, we here at Milwaukee Record put together a list of our favorite local music released that particular year (so far). And every year without fail, something comes along mere days after that article comes out that totally would have made the list had it been released in time. This July is no different, and this time around, Brave You was the band that narrowly missed out on being mentioned.
The Milwaukee synth-punk project is helmed by multi-instrumentalist Alex Meylink, whom you might know as the bass player in Telethon. Since setting the side project into motion about five years ago, Meylink and his cast of collaborators have released an album, an EP, and a three-song demo. On Friday, September 16, Brave You will add its catalog with the release of LIFER, a 10-track album that covers new lyrical territory and finds the band sounding decidedly different than it has to this point.
The most striking sonic change is the addition of two new members. LIFER brings two Sibilski siblings into the fold. Telethon guitar virtuoso Jack Sibilski—who had previously served as Brave You’s live guitarist—added his expertise to the forthcoming album. His sister Mary makes her debut on LIFER as well, joining Meylink as the band’s co-vocalist. You can hear both of them, as well as the other members’ contributions on two tracks the band is allowing us to share in advance of the upcoming release on CD, cassette, and digital platforms. As you wait for the album’s release and the band’s fall tour, you can listen to a pair of unreleased songs by Brave You below.