Cyrus Goudarzi’s solo project, cydaddy, brings us Brackish Life, a 12-track album that blends funky grooves, indie rock vibes, and moments of raw introspection. With a runtime of 44 minutes, the album feels like a carefully curated journey through Cyrus’s musical world. It’s a testament to his 15-year exploration of sound across various scenes, now distilled into an engaging and cohesive collection.
The opening track, “Ashtray,” immediately sets the tone with its rambunctious, jazzy energy. The funky, loud instrumental acts as a perfect introduction, charmingly pulling you into cydaddy’s unique soundscape. It’s purely instrumental but manages to convey so much personality, making it clear that this album is meant to keep you on your toes.
Tracks like “For What” and “Fourth Down” showcase Cyrus’s skill as both a vocalist and a composer. On “For What,” his voice becomes an instrument, weaving through haunting lyrics like “I don’t want to see anymore; I hear screams around me,” against a resonant guitar backdrop. “Fourth Down” offers a surprising mix of marching band-inspired intro and indie pop-rock flair, demonstrating cydaddy’s knack for inventive arrangements.
The latter half of the album feels more settled into its groove, with tracks like “Swimmin” standing out for Cyrus’s vocal performance. Tracks 7 and 9 lean into the guitar-driven sound that ties the album together, defining its overall aesthetic while keeping it genre-appropriate
Written by Nthatile Mavuso
