7/10

When Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Jonathan Brenner released his breakthrough debut LP 'Playin' Hooky With My Baby' in 2018, it was greeted as a shining example of his uplifting direction in the years prior. Beaming with this rich and dynamic texture that saw him evoke countless aesthetics and genres into his distinctive sound, he has spent many of the years since on the road, crafting a new venture for himself. And after winning the Monday Night Songwriter’s Open Mic competition at the world-famous Eddie’s Attic last year, following in the footsteps of John Mayer, Clay Cook, The Jacob Jeffries Band, and Jennifer Nettles (of Sugarland), he now returns with his long-awaited sophomore album 'Instagram Success', a record brimming with more of those illuminating textures once again.

Much like what his initial material gave us, 'Instagram Success' looks to hone more of that smooth and soul-infused endeavour he has earned a reputation for. Inviting a wealth of diverse instrumentation into its production this time around, his latest collection is this wonderfully fresh and inviting delve into his most alluring songwriting yet. Bringing out some truly immersive ideas as often as possible, Jonathan Brenner continues to shine as a true force to be reckoned with right now.

While it had been quite some time since we last heard any new material from him, 'Instagram Success' shows he is still finding and cultivating new pursuits in which to take his varied style. With such a warm and inviting presence throughout, this is one release we will certainly be coming back to again and again.