NXTSTYLE’s 2020 Songs of the Summer: Bryar ft. Anna Renee “Second Chances”

INTRODUCING NXTSTYLE’S ‘SONGS OF THE SUMMER,’ HIGHLIGHTING OUR FAVORITE TRACKS WE’VE DISCOVERED THIS SUMMER. OVER 70 SONGS FROM NEW AND INDEPENDENT ARTISTS FORM OUR SUMMER 2020 SOUNDTRACK. TODAY WE FEATURE BRYAR AND ANNA RENEE. BOTH SINGER/SONGWRITERS JOINED FORCES TO CREATE “SECOND CHANCES” A SINGLE THAT WAS FEATURED IN THE MOVIE ‘A NICE GIRL LIKE’ YOU STARRING LUCY HALE. LEARN MORE ABOUT BRYAR AND ANNA RENEE IN OUR FEATURED INTERVIEW.

YOUR NEW SINGLE ‘SECOND CHANCES’ HAS THIS GREAT 80’S POP INFLUENCED SOUND AND HAS A VERY RELATABLE THEME TO IT. TAKE US THROUGH THE PROCESS OF CREATING THIS TRACK AND COLLABORATING TOGETHER. HOW DID YOU GUYS INITIALLY MEET AND WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING WITH EACH OTHER?

BRYAR: Anna and I met on a write about two years ago. We immediately clicked and started writing a ton together. There was a season where we’d write easily every week. So she and I planned a writing trip to L.A. and that’s when we wrote “Second Chances”. We were super inspired by HAIM and Maggie Rogers, we wanted to write something that felt like female power and also summer fun. We had this image of going on a cross country adventure, similar to what it felt like being in L.A. at the time. And that’s how we started writing the song.

ANNA RENEE: Thanks! Bryar and I wrote this one with Myles Avery in Los Angeles. We went on a trip out there to do a bunch of writes set up by Lyric House. We both used to live in Los Angeles and it was a lot of fun getting to experience the city again and pull inspiration from that! Bryar and I initially met when we were set up on a write in Nashville. I think we write well together because we bring different strengths to the table and we aren’t afraid to fight for a good line.

THE SINGLE RECEIVED ATTENTION RIGHT OUT THE GATE WITH A FEATURE ON TIDAL’S RISING POP PLAYLIST AS WELL AS PLACEMENT IN THE MOVIE A NICE GIRL LIKE YOU STARRING LUCY HALE. WHAT ABOUT THIS SINGLE DO YOU THINK RESONATES WITH PEOPLE AND WORKS SO WELL AS A PLACEMENT? WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE PLACEMENT FOR THIS SONG?

BRYAR: I think the song has a very youthful energy to it. It touches on that invincible feeling you have when you’re young and the world is still this exciting uncharted territory where anything is possible. I think the song creates an escape, allowing the listener to get into that headspace. And that blissful invincibility is especially appealing during a time like this, where we’re constantly facing our mortality every time we leave the house. It’s a much needed jolt of positivity.

ANNA RENEE: Yeah, it’s been exciting to see this one getting some attention! I think it’s uplifting, fun and carefree and that makes it resonate. It was also fun to create! I think a car commercial or travel commercial would be perfect! Or a scene in a movie with a road trip along the west coast would be pretty spot on haha.

WITH THE CHALLENGES THAT 2020 HAS BROUGHT, HAS IT CHANGED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE AND RELATIONSHIPS? HAS THE EVENTS OF THIS YEAR INFLUENCED YOUR SONGWRITING?

BRYAR: I’ve definitely been in a season of amazing and supportive relationships, which have flourished during this difficult time. I’ve also gotten closer with my family which has been awesome, more time to FaceTime and catchup. As far as songwriting is concerned, I have definitely been in a ton of writing sessions that focus on the “new normal” and “isolation” as well as “rising up” and “overcoming”. Personally, quarantine gave me more writing time which I love, but for sure being stuck at home made finding inspiration difficult. I think the biggest impact this has had on my songwriting, is forcing me to learn to how to record and produce my own vocals, which is for sure still a work in progress. But gaining that new skill has also been empowering. So honestly there’s been mostly positive growth so far in 2020 (shocking).

ANNA RENEE: Spending more time by myself has reminded me that as much as I love collaborating, I also love being creative by myself and allowing more of a spiritual practice to guide that, with meditation and yoga setting up the space to create. I’m also working with more producers remotely and setting up a recording studio at home, which feels empowering and exciting.

WHETHER IT’S AN ALBUM, BEING AROUND CERTAIN PEOPLE, OR AN ACTIVITY, WHAT IS ONE THING THAT HAS HELPED YOU MOVE FORWARD DURING THE PANDEMIC? ANYTHING YOU CAN SUGGEST FOR OTHERS?

BRYAR: I started playing tennis again. I used to play in high school and haven’t since. It’s great because you can easily play and stay 6 ft apart. And it gives you time to soak up the sunshine while exercising. If you’re lonely and want to be outside with your friends but are still in lockdown, I for sure say find your nearest courts!

ANNA RENEE: Meditation, hiking, yoga and spending time with my husband has helped me a lot! I love listening to Ólafur Arnalds while stretching and doing yoga to relax.

LISTEN ON

FOLLOW BRYAR

FOLLOW ANNA RENEE

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BRYAR

ANNA RENEE

FAST FORWARD SEVERAL MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD. THE VACCINE IS HERE, AMERICA HAS FULLY OPENED! WHAT’S FIRST ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

BRYAR: Hmmmm… that’s definitely a tough question. I’m for sure a foodie, and though most restaurants are open, the atmosphere is definitely not the same without the usual hustle and bustle. So I think to go out and enjoy all my favorite local spots would be on the top of my list.

ANNA RENEE: Travel! My husband and I had to postpone our wedding reception and honeymoon, and we are looking forward to going on a hiking adventure through Turkey!

BRYAR, IN THE NEXT 100 FEATURE YOU TOLD US YOU’D LOVE TO COLLABORATE WITH FINNEAS. ONCE LIVE EVENTS ARE BACK ON WHO WOULD YOU MOST LOVE TO TOUR WITH?

I mean, I’ve heard Jon Bellion has an amazing live show, so if I was on that tour I could witness his genius night after night and be getting paid for it… that sounds like a pretty amazing deal if you ask me! LOL

ANNA, TALKING DREAM COLLABORATIONS..WHAT ARTIST, SONGWRITER, OR PRODUCER WOULD YOU MOST LOVE TO WORK WITH?

I would love to collaborate with Sylvan Esso. Finneas would also be amazing!

AS WE HEAD INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT FROM YOU FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2020?

BRYAR: I have a lot going on behind the scenes. There will for sure be more music! And hopefully a new song very very soon.

ANNA RENEE: Got another placement from the L.A. trip with Bryar yesterday that will be on MTV in October! I’ve been working a lot more on my own artist project, and will be releasing music in 2021.

BRYAR’S

SONGS OF THE SUMMER

 
  1. 1) Zedd “Funny”, the lyrics in the chorus are genius
  2. 2) Avenue beat “F2020” – these girls are hilarious, I wish I wrote this song!
  3. 3) Anderson .Paak “Lockdown” – these verses !!!! So good
  4. 4) Harry Styles “Watermelon Sugar” – so fun
  5. 5) Twenty One Pilots “Level of Concern” – can’t get it out of my head

Listen to all of our featured artist’s favorite songs of the summer on our special Spotify playlist.

 
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BROWSE ALL OF OUR ‘SONGS OF THE SUMMER’ INTERVIEWS

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Discover New Music

THE ‘NEXT IN MUSIC’ PLAYLIST

Discover a wide range of new music we love from artists located all across the world. Follow the ‘NEXT in Music’ playlist on Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.

MUSIC IN 2020 INTERVIEW SERIES

WE INTERVIEWED MUSIC PROS AND TASTEMAKERS TO GET THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON WHERE MUSIC IS HEADED AND TO DISCOVER WHAT NEW MUSIC THEY’RE LISTENING TO.

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