By Michael Guarino

“Freezing” would be a misleading title for Bren Joy’s new steamy summer anthem if it weren’t so ice cold. His June 19 release showcases Bren Joy’s signature blend of diverse genres and musical influences, with notable infusions of funk, R&B, and soul and the polished flow of a seasoned hip-hop artist. “Freezing” boasts splashy production in a departure from his mellower earlier hits, such as “Twenties” and “Henny in the Hamptons.”

In “Freezing,” Bren Joy sings of diving head first into an intensely passionate but low-key, casual seasonal fling, a journey that’s reflected in the song’s structure. After a sequence of playful xylophone pings and water droplet sound effects that anchor an extended “pool” metaphor, he wastes little time jumping right into the climax of “Freezing,” its killer chorus. At the top of his range, he belts, “I think I’m gonna go and free fall, cannonball, right into the deep end,” and in his shier (but nonetheless seductive) falsetto, squeals, “I know that there’s a chance that I could drown, but you’re the only thing that I can think about.” The song’s conventional but clever lyrical content allows Bren Joy’s musical sensibilities to shine through. “Freezing” is perfect for those looking for some musical action: its distinct harmonic complexity stems from a precise combination of bouncy bass lines, tight soulful vocal harmonies, shrill synthetic horns, and Bren Joy’s lush, clean riffs. This is an impressive release from an artist who’s been on the scene for barely two years. If Bren Joy’s goal in his career and in his relationships is to go all the way as fast as possible, “Freezing” marks a bold leap forward and adds even more musical depth to his already rich catalog.