Ky J. Brandes Bends Emotion and Form on New Folk-Rock Single “Stretching Feelings”
- STAFF
- Jul 3
- 2 min read
By: Staff
There’s something quietly revolutionary happening in the corners of Nashville, and it’s being stirred up by none other than Ky J. Brandes.
With their debut album Put Down on the horizon (October 1st, mark it), Ky J. Brandes is kicking off the madness with a release that feels like a cracked mirror of indie-folk angst , shattered and refracted into something strangely beautiful. Their new single, “Stretching Feelings”, dropped July 2nd, distributed via Cage Riot. While this release marks a new chapter, Ky J. Brandes is no stranger to discovery. His past singles have landed on Spotify’s coveted Fresh Finds playlists, catching early attention for their raw emotionality and distinct folk-rock voice.
This isn't just another bedroom folk-rock track; “Stretching Feelings” pulls listeners into a visceral unraveling of memory, trauma, and existential comedy, delivered with the dry wit of someone who’s survived both Texas heat and internal hellfire.
“I was struggling with the past life I had left behind in Amarillo,” Ky shares. “Traumatic childhood memories had begun to resurface in vivid nightmares, yet I was working hard to pursue my musical ambitions… writing this song taught me how to solve my concerning depressive emotions with an upbeat, catchy folk-rock hit.”
That duality is everything in this track. The song opens with a distorted scream played in reverse, followed by a deceptively soothing nylon-string guitar, like a fever dream dressed up in a calm disguise. Layered vocals and tambourine create an intimacy that’s quickly upended by searing fiddle lines, warped guitars, and drums that build with unsettling precision. As Ky’s vocals climb and the instrumentation swells, it becomes clear: this song is a crescendo of chaos held together by emotional threadbare honesty.
If you’re a fan of Elliot Smith, Big Thief, or MJ Lenderman, Ky J. Brandes needs to be on your radar immediately. There's a similar emotional candor, but with a distinctly Southern weirdness and lyrical sharpness that feels like a smirk through the tears. Think Indie Twang meets existential slapstick, wrapped in melodies so sticky they’ll haunt your walk to the coffee shop.
Brandes’ lyrics feel like found poetry from a psyche halfway between catharsis and collapse. Lines like “Jesus saves every day / why don’t we cut the guy a break?” and “Can’t get my body clean while living in a dirt house” punch through the haze with both bite and poignancy. These are the kinds of verses that feel journal-born but radio-worthy — raw thoughts shaped into art that refuses to look away.
“Stretching Feelings” is the first drop from Put Down, and it’s a clear mission statement: this record isn’t afraid to dig up ghosts, laugh in their faces, and turn them into sonic gold. Self-produced with Oriana Flores-Lyon, the track walks the line between lo-fi charm and full-bodied arrangements, showcasing Brandes' evolution as both a songwriter and sonic architect.
This might be the moment Ky J. Brandes stops being one of Nashville’s best-kept secrets. No label. No fluff. Just raw truth stretched across the strings of a guitar.
Now, click the links below to experience Ky J. Brandes!
