Bruno Major investigates the many embodiments of loss in his latest album, Columbo

After a three year gap since the release of his sophomore album To Let A Good Thing Die, singer-songwriter Bruno Major returns with a suave and heartfelt collection of tracks on his third album, Columbo. Major takes inspiration from the best aspects of a variety of different musical genres, including contemporary folk, lo-fi pop, and alternative R&B. Columbo is an endearing collection of delicate tracks that smoothly glides into the ears of listeners. 

Bruno Major is known for his masterful lyrical composition; he manages to write with an unbelievably elegant and romantic manner, surrounding his songs in a mist of infallible charm. 

Columbo does not fail to continually prove Major’s lyrical prowess, as each and every track in the record furnishes witty and poignant poetry. 

Many of Major’s most popular songs feel picturesque and reminiscent of the honeymoon phase, but the singer investigates the undesirable verities that manifest within the other side of love in the form of loss throughout Columbo. Major begins the album discussing a complicated relationship with loss in the track “The Show Must Go On”. The beginning of the track appears to describe an idealistic happy-ending in a relationship. However, it quickly becomes apparent that the narrator’s relationship and life as a whole are closer to theatrics as opposed to reality. 

While the happy-ending was achieved, Major details the vast opportunities and struggles that occur after one finally grasps everything that they could have ever wanted. He sings that “if you’re always putting on a show / you’ll lose yourself before you know.” If a person spends all of their life attempting to perfectly calculate and navigate themselves towards a certain future, they will at some point lose a piece of themselves. Major recognizes that “your heart will tell the truth / if you receive it,” demonstrating that genuinity and openness are the key to achieving a genuine happy ending; it cannot simply be manufactured. 

Bruno Major also manages to heavily romanticize loss through his usage of personification in the album’s title track, “Columbo”. Major sings that “hold your tears and don’t you cry / Columbo, Columbo / I’ll see you on the other side / we’ll go for a sunset ride.” The track on its surface level seems like a heart-warming track honoring a past lover or close friend; it’s incredibly easy to glance over the fact that Major is actually singing about his old car that he crashed, ultimately leading to the end of their journey together. “Columbo’s” positively reminiscent aura is magnified by its production as Major softly strums his guitar and sparingly implements soft synths. “Columbo” represents all of the best aspects of Columbo as a whole, serving as the perfect title track for the singer’s third studio album.

In addition to his lyrics, Major has always had refined skills in creating vocal melodies that are gorgeously haunting, and Columbo undeniably has its fair share of standouts. The track “You Take The High Road” incorporates all of the best features of a Bruno Major song. It’s difficult to put exactly into words, but “You Take The High Road” leaves listeners with a lingering ethereal emotion that blends together hope, fear, peace, and uncertainty. Major sings that “I’ll paint by numbers / let you go where you belong / the world is a more complicated place / than just me and you.” The song details the beautiful yet complex nature that closure bodes, and it resonates with listeners in exactly the way it needs to.

While some tracks pale in comparison to former works, Columbo is overall a wonderful and welcome addition to Bruno Major’s discography. The singer-songwriter continues to strengthen and hone his songwriting in order to consistently capture listener’s hearts. With the beautiful sentiments and perspectives that Major establishes and encourages in relation to loss throughout Columbo, it is no doubt that this album will assist listeners in receiving the truths that they truly need to hear within their hearts.