Bryant Barnes tugs at the heartstrings with his latest release, “I’d Rather Pretend,” a raw, vocally intense ballad that cuts deep from its very first note. Singing in a pitch that is at once cutting and lovely, Barnes leads listeners down a path of past relationship trauma, tracing the emotional prisons we create in the name of self-preservation.
Entrancing in the opening moments, the song quickly sets the mood, pulling you into a realm of exposure and reflection. His voice has a powerful depth.
“I’d Rather Pretend” speaks to the emotional swing of love and loss. It speaks to everyone who has ever held back their true self out of fear, opting to keep their guard up instead of risking their heart again. The production is deep and understated, allowing Barnes’ voice to be front and center, every word tapping into the realm of confessions whispered toward the void.
