Brandon Markell Holmes - Try (2025) [Hi-Res]

Opening with the title track “Try” featuring Tony G, the album sets an immediate tone: upbeat, soulful, and filled with intent. The song bursts open with an infectious rhythm and affirming energy, laying the foundation for an album that seeks not only to move your body, but to affirm your spirit.

Among the standout tracks is first single “FTW,” co-written with viral tik-tok drummer, Silvan Strauss and co-produced by Robert PM (co-founder of toucan sounds and half of buzzworthy duo French Horn Rebellion). With syrupy, high-gloss vocals and polished, experimental production, “FTW” recalls N.E.R.D. at their most refined and adventurous.

That same synergy between Brandon and Robert PM continues to sparkle across the album. “It Goes On” (also featuring Joey Mercedes) is a soulful, slow-burning dancefloor moment laced with glowing melodies and an impossibly catchy bassline. Their creative partnership hits another high with “Es Ta Pi,” (co-written with Colombian electronic phenom, Sinego) a warm, shuffling, feel-good second single that showcases Brandon’s uncanny ability to make introspection feel celebratory.

“Losing Side,” featuring Pink Flamingo Rhythm Revue, leans into throwback nostalgia, oozing 80s/90s R&B slow jam goodness reimagined for modern ears, effortless in its charm and timeless in its delivery.

Then there’s “Silence and Monogamy,” featuring both Robert PM and FUTVRST. An uptempo standout with a dreamy, cinematic swirl that expands the boundaries of deep house into something fully immersive, it’s a track that captures the heart of the project: a transportive sonic world where each song reveals another side of Brandon’s artistry.

Described as a “slow-burning vocal-house juggernaut” by Rolling Stone, Brandon Markell Holmes has consistently channeled social commentary, emotional depth, and spiritual uplift into every piece of music and performance he delivers. With roots in Chicago’s house and theatre scenes, and now based in Brooklyn, Brandon has become a fixture in the underground music world, whether lending his voice to collaborators like musclecars, JKriv, and Byron The Aquarius, or spontaneously taking the mic at packed clubs across NYC.

He’s also no stranger to the global stage—his vocals appeared on the GRAMMY-nominated Gorillaz album Humanz, and his acclaimed visual EP Inertia was spotlighted by Afropunk for its bold fusion of art, music, and historical reflection. His work has been praised by Billboard, Chicago Tribune, BBC, NTS, and Rinse FM, with each project revealing new layers of artistry and authenticity.
Yet beyond the stage and studio, Brandon is equally passionate about education. He recently completed a Master of Science Degree in Education, all while serving as a 7th–12th grade special education teacher in Humanities (ELA/History). It’s a balancing act that reflects the same discipline, passion, and grace that defines his music.

“I have witnessed how creative expression can unlock student potential and enhance comprehension across subject areas,” he says.
With Try, Brandon Markell Holmes delivers more than just a collection of songs - it’s a multi-dimensional statement of purpose, crafted with care, conviction, and soul. These rich songs are built for clubs, classrooms, and quiet reflection alike. Whether you’re dancing through heartbreak, seeking joy in the storm, or simply trying to show up for yourself each day, Try offers an array of anthems for the journey.


“This album explores the paradox of human ambition—the relentless drive to transcend limitations and manifest desired realities through sheer force of will. Each track chronicles the journey of pushing beyond conventional boundaries, capturing both the triumph of breakthrough and the inevitable stumbling that occurs when we try so intensely we lose our footing. The collection sits with the uncomfortable truth that even our greatest achievements, born from beautiful desperation, leave us to reckon with forces larger than our ambition. This is the sound of the gap between what we can force into being and what we must ultimately accept—an exploration of the impressive yet internally devastating nature of getting exactly what we fought for, only to discover that nature always has the final word in how things unfold.” - Brandon Markell Holmes