If you’re a fan of Braxton Cook, then you’ve been having a very good few months. The extremely talented musician has been dropping musical goodies since late last year when he dropped his recent EP My Everything. Since then, he popped up for a masterful performance on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk just last month. During that visit, he premiered his new song “We’ve Come So Far” to much acclaim. Now, he’s given the cut an official release.
“We’ve Come So Far” breaks somewhat from what we’ve come to expect from the R&B side of Braxton, which typically has nods to his jazz foundation. For this one, a spare guitar loop serves as the song’s main melodic component alongside a driving drum rhythm. And then, on occasion, piano or flute pop in to round out the song’s sound.
Lyrically, “We've Come So Far” reveals Braxton finding gratitude despite the worrying state of things around us. The verses speak to the growing anxiety that everyone’s starting to feel about everything and the general disconnect affecting us all. However, rather than focus on what’s wrong, he’s opting to take happiness where he can find it.
“But I know / It’ll be alright / It’ll be just fine,” he sings. “Just decide / That I’ma enjoy the ride / I’ma do it this time / Yeah, we’ve come so far / Be happy where you are.”
“This song is about gratitude, taking stock of all the blessings we have and seeing how far we’ve come in life,” the musician said of the track in a press release. “It signifies a shift sonically… It’s also in a brighter key of D major, and it has this simple but effective groove that feels like a lift.”
“We’ve Come So Far” is a reminder to us all that, though we might be in the midst of the struggle, we can still take stock of what we have and find the good in that. It’s a welcome word from Braxton Cook and a great addition to your daily playlists. Take a listen when you press play.
