Скачать или смотреть Sinking feat. Chris Jamison - Music Video - June Bracken and Brett McCutcheon

"The Ocean – Five Years" explores the grieving process through the allegory of an ocean. The deep blue sea and surface-level waves combine to offer a variety of perspectives that can articulate the complex emotions of losing a loved one. The project is dedicated to my older brother, Ryan A. McCutcheon, who passed away on September 30th, 2017, at the age of nineteen in a car accident. The story of brotherly love drives the themes throughout the songs.

This project was initially completed in collaboration with my friend, June Bracken, in 2018 with tracks like "Sinking," "The Bottom," and "Floating." However, I wanted to provide a new perspective by reflecting on grief after five years. While the original versions were pop songs, the 2023 version of "The Ocean" combines modern pop elements with standard orchestral instrumentation and composition techniques. It also includes two new songs and features other musicians such as Chris Jamison and musicians from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. This expansion aims to create a broader aesthetic on a grand scale, with the intention of raising awareness about childhood grief.

"Sinking" explores the initial stage of grief: denial. It begins with the sound of waves crashing and the initial piano theme, accompanied by vocals from Chris Jamison, both symbolizing the person who has been lost. June’s vocals express a plea to do anything to regain the memories they shared, represented by the metaphor of clock sounds for lost time. The combination of sorrowful vocals and joyful orchestration creates a sense of disbelief. The song concludes with the first realization of loss, marked by sudden low notes from the piano and deep strings.

"The Ocean - Five Years" releases on all major streaming platforms on September 30th. The documentary will release in November 2023. All proceeds go to the Ryan McCutcheon Rhythm19 Fund to benefit students with music education.