Norine Braun Delivers a Brilliant Masterwork With “Just One Night” in a Stunning Display of Americana Brilliance
- STAFF
- Jun 12
- 4 min read
By: Staff
“Just One Night” is a breathtaking triumph of emotional depth, vocal purity, and musical elegance.
We discovered Norine Braun and her latest release, “Just One Night,” and it was exciting to experience an artist we hadn’t yet heard before, so we dove right into the accompanying music video on YouTube, ready for anything. What we found was a remarkably intimate and moving song that left a deep impression.
“Just One Night” opens with a resonant, glistening slide guitar that immediately commands attention. It feels like morning sunlight pouring through an open window, soft, golden, and full of promise. That sweet tone is quickly joined by a punchy, yet subtly propulsive drumbeat that brings energy without ever overwhelming the mood. Twinkling keys cascade in like stars at dusk, while a warm, rhythmic bass anchors the song with grace. Together, the instrumentation paints a serene sonic setting, almost cinematic in its effect, pulling us into Norine Braun’s world with ease. The atmosphere feels personal, like a quiet moment you weren’t meant to witness, and yet can’t look away from.
Then Norine Braun’s vocals arrive, and everything changes. Her voice is gentle, silky, and deeply expressive, delivered with an emotional restraint that makes every word count. She sings with the kind of control that suggests total command of her art, weaving her voice around the arrangement like soft light through sheer fabric. It begins softly, almost like a whisper, then gradually intensifies, bringing new emotional weight to each line. You begin to see it all unfold, lovers’ hands clasping, soft exchanges, moments that seem both ordinary and profound. Alongside this, her delivery is mesmerizing and heartfelt, quietly pulling you under.
The track then shifts to a standout guitar solo, fluid, emotional, and beautifully delivered. It brings to mind the greats, especially Boz Scaggs, in its soulful execution. It’s a moment of pure musicianship that elevates the entire song.
When Braun sings the lines:
“Dreams are drifting / winding around / seeking slumber / the curtains down”
and later:
“And had we known forever it was just one night, a kindness, kissing comfort we float on by,”
you feel the ache of fleeting love, the memory of something beautiful that couldn’t last. It’s the kind of lyric that lingers long after the music fades.
As the song nears its outro, Norine Braun holds nothing back. Her voice rises into a sustained, breathtaking display of power and emotion, joined by the rich, supportive harmony vocals of Alice Fraser. The crescendo is subtle but striking, a wash of slide guitar, harmony, and open-hearted vulnerability that ties everything together. Her delivery has a natural, earthy soul to it, like something born of the wind or trees. No pretense. No overproduction. Just raw, melodic storytelling. We found ourselves hypnotized, completely locked into the purity of her sound.
Following the final note, we were left with the impression that this is an artist capable of turning minimalist production into something monumental. The song’s overall production, handled with care and clarity, deserves serious praise. The live feel, the warmth, and the space between sounds make it feel like you’re in the room with her.
Massive credit goes to The Warehouse Studio team, engineer Sheldon Zaharko, and mastering engineer Adam Popowitz for capturing such an organic performance so authentically. Steve Dawson, who co-produced the track and served as the bandleader, also delivers stunning work on guitars and pedal steel. He shapes the sonic landscape with finesse and purpose. His instrumental choices and leadership across the session clearly elevated the entire performance. The live band, including Darryl Havers on keys, Geoff Hicks on drums, Jeremy Holmes on bass, and Alice Fraser on harmony, provides flawless support that allows Braun’s vocals to truly shine. And of course, our star, Norine Braun, with her captivating vocals and heartfelt lyrics, brought to life through her visionary songwriting.
“Just One Night” is a beautiful example of a song that doesn’t need flash to leave a mark. It’s delicate, powerful, and impossible to forget. Seek it out on your favorite platform and prepare to be fully immersed in Norine Braun’s unique musical world.
We can’t wait to hear what she does next.
Norine Braun’s “Just One Night” is a soul-stirring triumph that blends cinematic beauty with raw vocal mastery.
Norine Braun crafts music with an emotional intelligence that sets her apart from the crowd. Her songwriting is rooted in lived experience, and she blends personal introspection with broader themes in a way that feels quietly revolutionary. Braun doesn’t chase trends. She taps into deeper truths. Her performances carry a grounded grace, and there's a sense of calm confidence in the way she navigates genre, effortlessly weaving between roots, Americana, and a soft alt-country warmth.
Norine Braun has a very impressive resume with 14 albums under her belt, each exploring different corners of the human experience. Her recent works, Journey Toward Wholeness and Songs For Trees, have been recognized for both their artistic quality and cultural significance.
Backed by support from organizations like the First Peoples’ Cultural Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and FACTOR, Braun explores identity, environment, and heritage with depth and nuance. She has been named one of The Vancouver Sun’s must-hear artists, with chart placements on SiriusXM’s Indigenous Music Countdown and Canadian Earshot, and airplay across college, AAA, and international stations. Her accolades include a Western Canadian Music Award nomination, an LA Independent Music Award win, and top honors from the SIBL International Songwriting Competition.
We’re so excited to have discovered Norine Braun, and we can’t wait to hear more and explore her past work.
Be sure to stream, playlist, and share “Just One Night” by Norine Braun.
