There is house music designed to fill a dancefloor, and then there is the kind that makes you want to close your eyes and simply get lost in the moment. Brannen’s debut single “Tulips” sits comfortably in that second space, bringing together deep grooves, atmospheric production and melodic emotion in a track that feels made for immersive listening.
The Scottish musician, drummer and producer has spent more than 20 years immersed in music, including over 15 years performing across different bands and around seven years developing his own production. That background matters here because “Tulips” does not feel like electronic music built around rhythm alone. There is a clear sense of musical movement and arrangement running through the track.
Brannen draws inspiration from artists such as Ben Böhmer, Marsh, Lane 8, Yotto, Romain Garcia, Nox Vahn, Jody Wisternoff, and Durante. Rather than simply recreating those influences, “Tulips” takes inspiration from their sense of warmth, emotion, and progression while shaping it into the developing Brannen sound.
And melody is certainly at the heart of the experience. “Tulips” occupies the space between melodic house and progressive house, pairing polished electronic production with a more organic musical instinct. The atmosphere is deep without becoming gloomy, while the emotional melodies give the track enough personality to keep it moving beyond a simple club groove.
There is also something nicely patient about the way Brannen approaches the track. The production allows its different elements to develop naturally, creating a feeling of progression rather than rushing towards a payoff. That makes “Tulips” particularly suited to late-night listening and extended DJ sets, where atmosphere and gradual movement can really shine.
The track also demonstrates why Brannen’s background as a drummer is such an interesting part of his musical identity. His understanding of rhythm feeds into the electronic production, giving the track a sense of physical movement while the melodic elements add the emotional pull.
As a debut, “Tulips” gives a clear introduction to what the Brannen project is about. It is melodic without being overly sweet, atmospheric without losing direction, and emotive without becoming heavy-handed. Most importantly, it feels like the beginning of an artist who understands that electronic music can make you move while still leaving something behind emotionally.
With later releases such as “Keep Dancing With Me” continuing to develop the melodic and atmospheric approach, “Tulips” now feels like the opening chapter of a sound Brannen is still exploring. For anyone who enjoys house music with depth, warmth, and feeling, there is plenty here to settle into.
Brannen makes a compelling debut with ‘Tulips’
