Brainstory Presents: A Natural Phantasm

Released in 2015, Brainstory Presents: A Natural Phantasm serves as a foundational statement for the Rialto, California-based trio. Comprising brothers Kevin and Tony Martin alongside drummer Eric Holeman, the band utilizes this 6-track EP to bridge the gap between the 'sweet soul' of the 1960s and 70s and modern indie-psych sensibilities. The EP is bookended by 'The Sunrise' and 'The Sunset,' establishing a clear conceptual arc that mimics a single day's cycle. Sonically, the record is defined by its analog warmth and jazz-inflected arrangements, moving away from the more aggressive tendencies of contemporary R&B in favor of a mellow, guitar-driven sound. Critics and fans alike have noted its importance in the modern Chicano soul revival, placing Brainstory alongside peers like Thee Sinseers and Los Yesterdays. The recording highlights the band's ability to blend complex jazz chords with the simple, heart-on-sleeve emotionality of classic soul, creating a 'phantasm' that is both ghostly and deeply grounded in reality.