Some songs announce themselves with grand gestures, while others earn their place through patience, honesty and emotional precision. ‘Brand New’, the latest single from Boorloo/Perth songwriter Kim Franklin under the name Blank Instrument, belongs firmly in the latter category. It’s a beautifully measured piece of folk songwriting that acknowledges heartbreak without becoming consumed by it, allowing hope to emerge naturally from the cracks left behind.
Serving as the opening glimpse of her forthcoming debut album ‘Jumping at Ghosts’, the single carries a significance that extends beyond its lyrical narrative. While the song explores the final moments of a relationship, it also arrives as part of a deeply personal creative milestone, lending every note an added sense of purpose without allowing sentimentality to overshadow the music itself.
Musically, ‘Brand New’ unfolds with understated confidence, as she draws comfortably from contemporary folk, country and folk-rock traditions, allowing acoustic guitars to establish a warm, inviting foundation before gradually introducing electric flourishes, piano, Wurlitzer and organ. Each new layer feels carefully placed, creating an arrangement that expands almost imperceptibly until its uplifting chorus arrives with quiet emotional force rather than theatrical release.
But what elevates ‘Brand New’ even further is its melodic craftsmanship. The chorus lifts the entire composition, introducing a subtle optimism that lingers long after the final refrain. It’s the kind of hook that feels earned because it grows directly from everything that precedes it, transforming personal reflection into something quietly uplifting.
As an introduction to ‘Jumping at Ghosts’, the single also hints at an artist with a clear sense of identity. She demonstrates an instinct for pairing intimate storytelling with rich yet restrained arrangements, creating songs that feel rooted in classic folk traditions while remaining refreshingly contemporary. The production is polished without sacrificing warmth, allowing every instrument to serve the emotional narrative throughout.
If ‘Brand New’ is any indication of what’s to come, Blank Instrument’s debut album promises to be far more than a collection of confessional songs. It suggests a songwriter capable of finding beauty in difficult transitions and turning deeply personal experiences into music that resonates far beyond its own circumstances.