Seattle artist Brenda Xu‘s “Trumpet Song” is a clever, sophisticated pop song featuring, you guessed it, a trumpet that make a couple of cameo appearances at the middle and the end. Trumpet aside, the song’s strongest elements are Xu’s understated, moody vocals and an inventive arrangement that makes a five and a half minute tune feel like a mini song cycle. Reminiscent of Aimee Mann and Elliott Smith’s thoughtful chamber pop, there’s also a bit of a Laura Nyro-plays-the-songs-of-Weill vibe going on here. Really, really nice stuff.
Xu and her band (including trumpet, I hope) will open up the Ball of Wax 41 show this Friday, and she is touring much of the West this fall – check her out if she comes to your town.