Press Kit
‘I SEE IT NOW’
THE NEW ALBUM FROM BRYAN ESTEPA
For Fans Of: Wilco, Radiohead, The Beatles, The Smiths
Release Date: June 6th 2025
Lilystar Records
Bryan Estepa’s 2019 album Sometimes I Just Don’t Know was, at its core, a breakup album and a dissection of the
emotional and psychological ramifications that such a traumatic experience creates. Now, half a decade later, we find the singer-songwriter exploring the different aspects of one’s life that follow such an event.
Across I See It Now, Estepa documents an arc of personal development where themes of self-doubt, false starts, renewal and optimism form the basis for his songs that poetically connect the personal to the universal. It’s all set against Estepa’s consummate marriage of indie rock and power pop where melody and sonic guitar excursions exist in perfect harmony.
Bryan has a strong connection with his Spanish band and producer JJ Extremera, and he’d long dreamed of being able to record with them. The importance of Extremera’s role in the making of the album can’t be understated. Estepa’s
excitement at sending the producer demos of songs fuelled and inspired his songwriting, and then when it came to
recording, Extremera was invaluable creative counterweight to Estepa’s approach and ideas.
Though the holy triumvirate of The Beatles, Wilco, and Big Star are still in Estepa’s DNA, the musical palette has clearly
widened and deepened.
The album starts with the Radiohead tones and textures of Where You Begin, a song about knowing the end of a
relationship is near. Grounded blends synths and piano and a baroque pop sensibility (think The Lemon Twigs) as it deals with self-doubt and insecurities.
Version Of Me finds Bryan inhabiting the absolute sweet spot of the sound that he has become known for – imagine peak Wilco with a guest appearance from Christopher Cross and a glorious Wings-style ending! Smile Away, featuring a sublime guest vocal performance from Barcelona singer-songwriter Alice de Luis, finds Bryan expanding his songcraft and further exploring his love for soul and neo-soul.
The jangle and chiming crunch of Lines Will Show channels Johnny Marr’s ornate six-string magic that dovetails into a
gorgeous and lush chorus. Alright, OK! lays bare the contrasting emotions of ecstasy when you find human connection and feelings of frustration and loneliness when it’s not there.
Distant strains of Eliott Smith permeate the lightly dancing melodies of La Última Vez, while on Corners Estepa sings
about when “people come into your life unexpectedly, often bringing with them experiences or emotions you do not
expect,” over an indie rock swoon before the listener is left with the title-track’s achingly beautiful statement of heartfelt resolution – where everything is in the right place.
“I wanted to reflect on that feeling of content and inner peace when you have entered that truly happy and love-filled
period of a relationship. The point where everything’s laid bare, there’s acceptance, gratitude for each other, and you have surrendered yourself to what the relationship might bring.”
Album credits:
All songs & lyrics by Bryan Estepa © 2025
Produced, Mixed & Recorded by JJ Extremera at Little Momo Studios Barcelona
Additional Recordings by Chris Carrapetta at Unsung Ibis Studios Marrickville & Santos Berrocal at Blind Studios Barcelona
Mastered by William Bowden at King Willy Sound Tasmania
Performed by:
Bryan Estepa – Vocals & Acoustic/Electric Guitars
JJ Extremera – Acoustic/Electric & Slide Guitars, Bass, Piano, Synths, Mellotron, Wurlitzer, Percussion, Ukulele, Xylophone & Backing Vocals
Juan Carlos Luque – Bass
Jonathan Zuriaga – Drums & Backing Vocals
Santi Campos – Wurlitzer on ‘Version of Me’ & Piano on ‘Alright, OK!’
Alice de Luis – Vocals on ‘Smile Away’
Audrey Estepa – Backing Vocals on ‘Version of me’
Nathan Parks – Saxophone & Clarinet on ‘Version of me’ & Saxophone on ‘Alright, OK!’
Cover Art by Studio Together. Photo by Jared Harrison
“Bryan’s a great writer and collaborator. He’s got a classic pop sensibility but is really open to feedback and experimentation which made my job as producer really fun and free.”
– Josh Pyke
“Both the track and its video are a testament to Estepa’s status as a widely-unsung hero of the Australian music scene, and gives listeners an idea of what is still to come from this beloved and critically-acclaimed artist.”
– Rolling Stone Australia (‘Admit Now, Pay Later’)
