Micheal drives listeners to ‘insanity’ with latest release

David Kushner’s “Skin and Bones” and “Dead Man” channel the style of seventeen-year-old, budding musician, Braxton Micheal’s newest release, “Insanity Town” Along with a possible upcoming release, “Ghost,” Micheal has been working towards a music career since he was in sixth grade. He has now picked up on writing mature songs that channel his anxiety, making music his outlet, and allowing him to truly express his feelings. 

Micheal’s songs usually have an obvious or hidden meaning that either have something to do with his life or his overall outlook on the world. His songs are also very easy to relate to, and that stays true with “Insanity Town,” as he expresses through the song how he feels he’s going insane. 

“Insanity Town” is about how Micheal is greatly affected by problems in his life. These problems are things that have nothing to do with his relationships, yet they cause conflicts, making him feel as if he’s going insane. Micheal warns his significant other to leave before he goes insane and takes them down with him.

Comparing “Insanity Town” to Micheal’s past releases, there is an obvious switch in quality that causes his voice to be very smooth, and it doesn’t sound automated or autotuned in any way. Micheal’s latest release before “Insanity Town” is “Trying,” which is overall a good song, but hearing the quality against “Insanity Town,” listeners can hear the obvious change in software.

Another song Micheal has published, which gives a similar vibe with the software, is “Giving Up.” “Giving Up” has a smooth sound and minimal amount of layering. Though the improvement Micheal has shown through “Insanity Town” just can’t be beat. The old software being the only reason most of his older songs fall short to “Insanity Town.”

Micheal also experimented with his vocals, leaving a chilling effect when singing “If I were you, then I would leave me” as his voice has a harsher push on the “I”. Micheal has progressed greatly, which can be seen even in the few songs he has out. 

The song ends with a feeling of nostalgia after fading out, with a tune imitating the sound of the wind, and finally ending with what sounds like a cassette tape being ejected.

Listeners can hear the amount of effort Micheal put into the song as the layering alone is insane. Micheal layers his voice eight to ten times in the chorus alone. He’s only obviously layered his voice in one other song, which is “An 8 Flipped Over” though the quality of “An 8 Flipped Over” is also good, there are some issues with the sound quality when comparing it to “Insanity Town.” 

The overall improvement and commitment that Micheal has shown is commendable. His music allows him to express how grateful he is to those that listen, and encourage him.

A+ 

“Insanity Town” feels so fresh and new, yet Micheal keeps the same style listeners love and relate to.

by Ashley Schumann

Published April 1 2024

Oshkosh West Index volume 120 Issue VI