Brendan Maclean gives it everything on Hugs Not Drugs (Or Both)

Following up from last year's flamboyant electro-pop single Tectonic, Brendan Maclean has returned with an even larger, bolder new sound. Hugs Not Drugs (Or Both) is a fine return from Maclean, with a ferocious, electronic-infused rock beat co-written by Ball Park Music's Sam Cromack layered under Maclean's vocal line, which quickly turns from calm and collected in the opening verse to powerful and dominant when the single's high-energy chorus kicks in. Aside from Maclean's shining vocal capabilities, the beat on Hugs Not Drugs (Or Both) is pretty damn sensational, beginning with a late-00's electro-pop synth line reminiscent of acts like Art Vs Science that quickly switches into gear with a far more guitar-heavy chorus, with strong percussion matching beautifully with Maclean's strong, emotionally-charged vocals.

Also, I feel like the single's accompanying description deserves a shout-out, with Maclean saying that he was going for a sound that "makes you want to party at a protest. Like if Panic At The Disco had a few beers and came from Perth". Love it.

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