Warm and gentle in each one of its notes, ‘Brightest Fire’ by Jonny Westwood is dreamy, it is ethereal, and will without a doubt create a spark in your heart.
The song is a beautiful blend of the many branches of pop, bringing in elements of alt-pop, folk-pop, indie-pop, and creates a sound that’s so light and floaty. Instrumentation wise the song isn’t overwhelming, which helps maintain the gentleness it evokes. Soft, reverb drenched layered guitars, synths, steady percussion, and a slight trumpet-like sound occasionally features in the track, making for a rich, lush, soothing soundscape. The production is such that each and every instrument is distinctly heard while beautifully complementing and blending in with the others. There is something of an old, retro charm in the song that has been polished by a modern sound, making the song weighty in its relevance.
Lyrically, the song captures the feeling of realisation that you love someone, and the way the world seems brighter and nicer after that realisation. It captures a feeling that is everlasting and transcends time and land barriers, making it one that is universally appealing. The floatiness of the song supports the feeling of lightness that love puts in us. The emotional weight of the song is perfectly complemented by the gentle, minimalistic instrumentation, which helps the vulnerability in the lyricism and singing shine through.
Rich soundscapes blended with poetic songwriting, this dream-like song will sink into your senses slowly and gradually and will leave you feeling warm, like a day of spring after long months of winter.