Simon Bromide and The Bromides - 'Jean-Luc Godard Directs'

There’s a restless intelligence driving 'Jean-Luc Godard Directs'. The latest single from Simon Bromide and The Bromides is a track that feels like a collision of art, literature, and late-night studio experimentation.

At first listen, it carries the loose, guitar-led spirit of alternative rock’s more literate corner. There are echoes of Sonic Youth in its angular phrasing and a touch of Television in the way the guitars stretch and circle rather than simply drive forward. But the artist uses these touchpoints as a foundation for something more conceptually ambitious.

The track draws from cinema, classic literature, and rock mythology, yet it never feels weighed down by them. References to Jean-Luc Godard and The Master and Margarita are woven into the fabric of the song, giving the piece a layered quality that reveals itself gradually. It’s music that trusts us to lean in rather than spelling everything out.

Sonically, the production, guided by Brian O’Shaughnessy, balances clarity with a slightly off-kilter edge. The arrangement feels deliberate, allowing ideas to spill over one another in a way that mirrors the song’s thematic density. There’s a sense of movement throughout, as if the track is constantly shifting perspective without losing its core identity.

What stands out most is the frontman's approach to songwriting. There’s a willingness to embrace complexity without sacrificing immediacy. Melodic hooks surface and recede, lyrical fragments hint at larger ideas, and the overall effect is one of controlled unpredictability. It’s a track that rewards repeated listens through its details.

'Jean-Luc Godard Directs' sits somewhere between indie-rock, art-pop, and something more literary. In doing so, it positions Simon Bromide and The Bromides as a quietly distinctive voice in a space that often favours immediacy over depth.

Stream here.