What does My Brightest Diamond sound like?

The indie-rock high production artist brings a stripped-back demo rock tone for an album of empowerment.

The review of ‘Fight The Real Terror’ by My Brightest Diamond

Often female artists are pitched against each other by the mainstream (music) press to generate headlines. It’s not pretty or necessary. No one wins. ‘Fight The Real Terror’ is a fascinating album from Shara Nova, the artist behind My Brightest Diamond that tackles elements of this through comments on press narratives, injustice and the toll the world takes on a human. Shara said Sinead O’Conner’s death prompted this album but as with most great albums, the rivers of personal reflection and emotion run deep.

Compared to previous albums, the sound is more rustic, paired back and raw. Some tracks feature only guitar and vocals and yet they carry such power and ferocity that it sounds like a full band effort. Just like how her album ‘A Thousand Sharks Teeth’ took orchestration and wind instruments into the cinematic rock world, this feels like one woman and her guitar amps and effect pedals running riot. There are other instruments and lots of interesting choices hiding under the surface but the stark walls of power and vocal yells make this confrontational – like being shocked awake from a dream.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the title track that opens the album. ‘Fight The Real Terror’ is a rallying cry and wail of empowered grief over Sinead’s death. She calls out the world for saying it’s too late rather “than to respect a living and furious woman”. The guitar playing becomes increasingly impassioned as Shara’s classically trained voice rouses and blasts out a call to action. “Who’s gonna stand with me shoulder to shoulder to take down another untouchable power?” she asks. It is on that premise the rest of the album is built around although other songs look into the daily terror in modern life from different perspectives.

The grungy foot stomper that is ‘Rocket In My Pocket’ reminds me of PJ Harvey’s 4-track demos with its high-fidelity demo scene sound. It riffs on thick twangs of uneasy notes that just bend out of tune slightly as if the song itself is readying itself for battle. Each kick drum is a firework ready to pop and Shara’s backing vocals coo around like a Catherine wheel of eerie anger.

There is a softer side to the album. ‘Even Warriors’ is a beautiful electric guitar/vocal ballad that sings of wanting to come home after battle to an embrace. It is tiring and lonely leading a battle charge and without that restorative home base, your light within will burn out. It is such a tender piece and I love how the chords sound like they’ve not found a home yet as they yearn and search for it. On that path, ‘Imaginary Lovers’ is a hopeful pledge to figure it out “if we go sideways”. I think what is interesting here is that whilst the song sings of that pledge, Shara has been divorced. Is this the ideal lover that may never come? The real terror of loneliness is referenced throughout the album and here it is given a cinematic rock anthem of empty hope. The side-eyed humour of ‘Rule Breaker’ is a more bombastic and danceable piece. My Brightest Diamond lists off 10 dating rules she has about dating managers, bandmates, fans or young ones with her reasons. Add in some quirky guitar riffs and you have an alt-classic.

From love, we move to purpose and the terror of not knowing your purpose or drive in life. ‘Safe House’ is a moody, understated masterpiece of smokey guitars, minimalist drum loops and atmosphere. Shara sings of providing a safe house for others to restore and rejuvenate – and it’s a safe house for her too. “We’re gonna write new rules… talk our troubles through”. Balancing sounding taut but providing an emotional balm too – it is a tone that My Brightest Diamond has perfected over the years. The song is beautifully paired with the dreamy ‘Have You Ever Seen An Angel’ which showcases Shara’s classical vocal range. Her higher register captivates you as gentle fingerstyle guitar evokes angelic harps underneath Nova’s pin-drop performance.

‘Sublime’ is a shoegazing brood. It quickly runs an arpeggiated three-chord motif and as the guitar gathers pace and strength, so does the lyrical intent. Touching on religion, ‘Initiate the sail. When I’ve forgotten how to pray I sail” we hear but that prayer can be whatever gets your mojo flowing. As the lyrics grow in confidence, the guitars and drums get bolder and louder until the final frenzy. Gazing in a different style, the rich echo of the guitar and vocals of ‘There’s No Place’ matches the idea of home comforts. Dreamy, sweeping and beautifully recorded, it is a cosy track of the album. The album closes with ‘Saw A Glimpse’ which reminds me of the song ‘I am Stretched on Your Grave’ melodically. Primarily vocal with minimal guitar backing, it is a haunting and emotional performance that seeps grief, hope, love and ambition for a better tomorrow together. The dusty, cowboy showdown outro leaves us about to draw pistols with our ultimate terror – death.

There are so many personal and universal themes on this album. Each time I listen to it I come away thinking about a different aspect of daily terror in our modern lives and how that affects me. Crucially, My Brightest Diamond frames something quite depressing through a lens of empowerment. Most songs on the album are designed to lead you on a breadcrumb trail to do something. Love harder, live fuller, stand up for yourself and look out for your neighbour. They are cornerstones to live by and this album pulls them sharply into focus. The reduced instrumentation serves to deliver the messages viscerally and the demo+ production lets every drop of emotion shine. This is easily one of my favourite albums of 2024.

Recommended track: Fight The Real Terror

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