Is Deja Entendu a good place to start with Brand New?

Yes, Deja Entendu is recommended as a starting point for new Brand New listeners. An intricate blend of emo and alternative rock that weaves introspective lyrics with dynamic instrumentation. In 2003, Brand New released Deja Entendu as their sophomore album, following their debut Your Favorite Weapon. This album marked a significant shift in their sound and lyrical depth, showcasing the band's evolution from pop-punk roots to a more mature and complex style.

Who is Deja Entendu for?

Deja Entendu works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, long, immersive listening sessions and introspective late-night moods.

How many songs are on Deja Entendu?

Deja Entendu has 11 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

Deja Entendu

Brand New · 2003

48 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock

An intricate blend of emo and alternative rock that weaves introspective lyrics with dynamic instrumentation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Tautou Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Sic transit gloria… Glory Fades — This track encapsulates the album's themes of disillusionment and the ephemeral nature of fame through vivid storytelling and striking imagery.
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The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows — A standout single that combines catchy melodies with profound lyrical exploration of hidden emotions and societal expectations.
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Okay I Believe You, but My Tommy Gun Don’t — This track features a blend of sharp wit and emotional vulnerability, making it a quintessential representation of Brand New's evolving sound.
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Play Crack the Sky — The closing track showcases the band's ability to create an atmospheric soundscape while delivering poignant reflections on loss and longing.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

68 /100

Alpine

Higher than 93% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong writing and dynamic shifts, though its cohesion dips slightly due to varied pacing.

What we noticed

The album opens with a soft, melodic track that gradually builds in intensity, setting a dynamic tone for the following songs.
Lyrically, the album employs vivid imagery and introspective themes, often contrasting personal struggles with broader societal issues.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic emotional journeys
long, immersive listening sessions
introspective late-night moods
gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established Brand New's reputation with a significant shift in sound and lyrical depth.
Themes: ephemeral fame· hidden emotions· atmospheric loss
Moods: Introspective· Melancholy
Career context: In 2003, Brand New released Deja Entendu as their sophomore album, following their debut Your Favorite Weapon. This album marked a significant shift in their sound and lyrical depth, showcasing the band's evolution from pop-punk roots to a more mature and complex style.
Stylistic neighbors: Taking Back Sunday· The Wonder Years· Dashboard Confessional

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Okay I Believe You, but My Tommy Gun Don’t

The verses shift from playful sarcasm to an earnest confrontation of personal insecurities.

This transition in tone reveals the complexity of the narrator’s character, blending humor with deeper emotional conflicts.