The Jaws of Brooklyn

We don’t really put stock in the idea of “talent by association”. Sure, we’ve witnessed plenty of attempts to pivot from a successful group into a profitable solo offshoot. But if they didn’t have the spark to start with, they won’t have much to bargain with on their own. And on the ongoing collaborative level, when one player reaches a certain tier of talent, they rarely lower the bar in terms of the artists they surround themselves with, let alone their choice of creative clientele.

Now bear with us as we break down a bit of history here. Alabama Shakes hires Ben Tanner as a touring keyboardist. Tanner helps Alabama Shakes secure the 2018 Grammy for “Best American Roots Performance”. Then, just last year, Tanner does it again by snagging “Best Roots Gospel Album” for co-producing, engineering, and mixing Echoes of the South by Blind Boys of Alabama. In between it all, Ben continues to prove himself as not just a prized player, but a prolific producer with a musical Midas touch. So for Ben to bring an out-of-state group of relative-unknowns to his Muscle Shoals studio and bang out their debut? Sure says a lot, doesn’t it?

The group in question is The Jaws of Brooklyn, who as you might’ve guess are from…Washington?! Yes, we got our first feel for this Seattle septet from their aptly-titled Summer 2022 full-length The Shoals. And sure, while Tanner did put a proper polish on it, but a firm grasp on the classic garage-soul-rock sound (complete with ’60s-style girl group gusto) was clearly ingrained in J.O.B. from the get-go.

Now, following the fickle affair that is swapping out frontwomen, The Jaws of Brooklyn are back at it with Gretchen Lemon in the lead singer slot. And with Alabama Shakes acolytes Shannay Johnson and Karita Law also returning to Tanner’s auspicious Muscle Shoals recording space, The Jaws of Brooklyn have cranked out a dozen-plus new tunes, soon to be split across two EPs. The first one drops next April, (when J.O.B.’s stint at SXSW 2025 will still be fresh in memory), and we got a taste of that latest batch this morning with the record’s lead single, “Litebringer”.

By hinging on a hefty mix that’s instantly evocative of golden age Alabama Shakes, (snappy percussion, full house vocal harmonies, gritty garage guitar tones, and all) “Litebringer” has our mouth watering for what’s to come from The Jaws of Brooklyn, no matter what they sink their teeth into next. - KUT

If you haven’t heard of Jaws of Brooklyn before, don’t worry we’re in the same boat. Yet, while this is our introduction, the group have earned a strong following with confident performances, powerful melodies and engaging lyrics since their formation in 2020. Blending vintage rock and soul with a modern-day sonic ribbon, their critically acclaimed releases offer an eclectic something-something that is not to be pigeonholed. In 2024, the line-up took a turn when lead vocalist Gretchen Lemon joined the natural talents of Bryan Cohen (guitar), Paul Christofferson (bass), Zia Uddin (drums), Dana Dysart (keys), and background vocalists Shanay Johnson and Karita Law, placing an intoxicating veil over every listener.

Now, let’s take a gander at the most recent addition to Jaws of Brooklyn’s discography, the Valentine’s Day pre-emptor ‘Coming Home’.

While television thumbs their nose at true love with shows like Married At First Sight, Love Triangle and Love Island – and that’s just naming a few – the concept of love in its raw, passionate and true form is entirely real. It’s not to be jeered at but to be enjoyed in all its warm, soul-stirring, happy glory. Following their well-received 2024 singles, ‘Lie To Me’ and ‘Litebringer’, ‘Coming Home’ tackles real, honest, true-to-form love and romance. Lemon explains:

“I knew I was in love with someone I was friends with for over a decade before I told him. The yearning in every one of the lyrics I wrote were ultimately about that… about finding my way to my true love. This song captures that feeling of looking toward the horizon, knowing your heart is leading you home.”

The lyricism is weighty and somewhat profound as it captures the core of long-time love; however, it is its harmonic weaving with the melody that makes ‘Coming Home’ an earworm. Produced by Ben Tanner ‘Coming Home’ is a shimmering melodic tapestry of old-school soul and folk-rock. Soaring guitars glide along a bold bass with pounding drums and glittering keyboards. For me, Lemon’s vocals with Law and Johnson’s “oohs” in the background really cement a Mama Cass stance in ‘Coming Home’. - The Other Side

Jaws Of Brooklyn’s “Lie To Me” was built on a 109 BPM groove inspired by the Stevie Wonder classic “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours),” but the song’s sentiment is something altogether darker.

“It’s about the otherworldly feeling of knowing you and your significant other aren’t connecting anymore and are stuck miles apart,” says Jaws Of Brooklyn guitarist Bryan Cohen. “So you ask the person to keep lying that things are going to work out, kicking the can down the road and continuing the illusion that the relationship will work out.”

A soul-kissed, ’60s-flavored Seattle byproduct of the pandemic, Jaws Of Brooklyn generated minor critical buzz with its 2022 debut, The Shoals. The album was recorded by Alabama Shakes keyboardist Ben Tanner, who’s also made a name for himself as a Grammy-winning producer. Since then, Jaws Of Brooklyn has expanded to a seven-piece live act increasingly defined by the powerhouse pipes of Gretchen Lemon.

For its latest batch of music, the band regrouped with Tanner in Florence, Ala., recording 15 new songs that feature potent backup vocals from Shanay Johnson and Karita Law (Alabama Shakes, Brittany Howard). Look for a new Jaws Of Brooklyn EP in April. For now, we’re proud to premiere “Lie To Me.”

“It’s a joyous ode to sweet denial,” says Cohen. “Who hasn’t been there?” - Magnet

Seattle rockers The Jaws of Brooklyn just released their new single, 'Litebringer,' which was produced by Grammy-winner Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes), and to celebrate we asked Bryan Cohen to tell us about the track. Here is the story:

My biggest fear when I am writing a new album is not being able to top the last record. Honestly I think it's a feeling a lot of songwriters grapple with. So when I started writing new The Jaws of Brooklyn record I wanted a banger that had a similar feel to our song Fever from our first record. In December of 2023 I contracted COVID and ended up stuck in my bedroom with just a guitar. I started strumming and a Kinks like riff popped out. Like..."here I am". I knew it had a similar energy to Fever so I started playing with a 60's sounding chorus to match the riff. I was thinking of "Black Keys' Lonely Boy and using the words WRONG and RIGHT and I BRING THE LIGHT. That is when I remembered Pierce Brown's Sci Fi book Light Bringer. GOOD TITLE!!!!

I called my co-writer Chyee Howell and sang her the parts. "It's a breakup song" I said. "Nope" she countered "it's a ying/yang - relationship chemistry song." "You bring the wrong, I bring the right" "You bring the dark, I bring the Light" That unlocked the lyrics. Each character in the song brings a piece of chemistry to this relationship! It felt real and grounded.

Finally part of my process is to add something unexpected. A vocal break down or key modulation on a chorus can really add something surprising for the listener and move the song into a new level. For Litebringer I remembered the keyboard solo from Del Shannon's Runaway. I suggested our keyboard player, Dana Dysart, try something similar for the solo section. She came up with a very cool solo. She also added a nifty keyboard lick for the section when the band modulates the chorus which kick our singers voice into overdrive! - AntiMusic

Seattle-based Jaws of Brooklyn release “Litebringer,” their first single since 2022. Inspired by ’60s garage and soul, the track features powerful vocals and vibrant keyboard solos, collaborating with backing vocalists from Alabama Shakes for a unique twist.

Hailing from Seattle and formed during the 2020 pandemic, Jaws of Brooklyn fuse garage rock and classic soul with contemporary songwriting. With their debut album “The Shoals,” produced by Alabama Shakes’ Ben Tanner and released in 2022, the band received praise from Billboard and American Songwriter for their impressive sound.

Currently a seven-piece lineup, Jaws of Brooklyn underwent a significant change in 2024 with the addition of vocalist Gretchen Lemon. Refreshed and with reinvigorated energy, they returned to Florence, Alabama, to record new songs, highlighting their retro sound and soulful rhythms.

With plans to release new singles beginning in September 2024 and an EP scheduled for April 2025, Jaws of Brooklyn continue to expand their music across the Pacific Northwest and beyond, with planned performances at SXSW and more high-profile festivals. - IndieAm

With a completely contagious sound, the group from the United States releases their newest single, the only release of 2024 so far and the first sound in a 2-year absence.

The quintet combines elements of rock with a touch of pop and soul. Between guitars and a well-used keyboard, they practically create a new style by taking inspiration from soul rhythms with a touch of garage rock.

In addition to a clearly more alternative and indie feel.

The song's vocals are very catchy and are only enhanced by the lively instrumentals created. The lyrics, on the other hand, have a more modern feel and are centered around the singer herself. - Roadie Music

When we talk about bands that capture that retro essence with a modern twist, The Jaws of Brooklyn can't be missed. Born in the middle of the pandemic in 2020, this Seattle group has managed to mix 60's garage rock with fresh, contemporary soul. After the success of their debut album The Shoals , produced by the talented Ben Tanner of Alabama Shakes , the band returns with new energy, a new vocalist - the powerful Gretchen Lemon - and, of course, a new song that will blow your mind: 'Litebringer' .

Litebringer
This song comes with a powerful sound that grabs you from the first chords. 'Litebringer' feels like a roller coaster of emotions. It's an explosion of contrasting energies, reflecting that dynamic between light and darkness that marks relationships. The vocal harmonies, backed by the voices of Karita Law and Shannay Johnson of Alabama Shakes , give that almost heavenly touch to the chorus. And not to mention the break with bongos, which pays homage to the retro vibes of Shannon and the Clams . Each part of the song flows with a unique energy, making you stay glued until the end.

Production and Sound at The Jaws of Brooklyn
Ben Tanner 's production is impeccable and provides a super organic sound, making each instrument and vocal stand out in its own space. The seventies touch is simply cool, with those organ solos inspired by Del Shannon 's 'Runaway' that give a very fresh and dynamic air to the song. Gretchen Lemon 's voice stands out with exquisite nuances, while the guitars have that classic but well-defined style. Everything is perfectly balanced, from the percussion to the background vocals. In short, it is a first-class production.

'Litebringer' is a song you definitely have to listen to if you like classic rock with psychedelic and indie touches. The Jaws of Brooklyn continue to break barriers, explore new sounds and show why they are one of the most interesting bands on the scene. Play this gem and let it transport you to another sound dimension. - Expansion Radical