When two beloved cult bands join forces, expectations are high. But the collaboration between UK indie-pop legends Saint Etienne and Australian electro-pop dynamos Confidence Man on their single “;Brand New Me” delivers something truly special. Released as the third single from Saint Etienne’s thirteenth and final studio album, International, the track is a vibrant, hook-filled celebration of transformation that has captured the attention of fans and critics alike.
A Brief on “Brand New Me”: Lyrics and Creative Spark
The song is a feel-good anthem about self-empowerment and starting fresh. The lyrics of “Brand New Me” reflect a journey of personal growth, shedding the past, and embracing a renewed sense of self with unapologetic joy. It’s a theme that resonates deeply, wrapped in an irresistibly catchy package.
It could’ve been a waste of time
You know I always change my mind
Baby, it’s a brand new me
Tellin’ everyone I know– Chorus from “Brand New Me” (Source: open.spotify.com, 2025-11-04)
The collaboration was born from mutual admiration. As label mates on Heavenly Recordings, the two bands first connected at the Kite Festival in 2022. Confidence Man grew up listening to Saint Etienne, while the British trio were captivated by the Aussies’ “shiny, new, exciting cocktail of electro-pop hedonism.” (Source: shemakesmusic.co.uk, 2025-11-04). Sarah Cracknell of Saint Etienne described the process as “a lot of fun” and a “perfect mash up of both our band’s styles.” (Source: readdork.com, 2025-11-04).
Saint Etienne
Formed in London in 1990, this trio is celebrated for their distinctive fusion of indie pop, dance, and electronic music, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and timeless.
Confidence Man
An Australian electro-pop band formed in 2016, known for their high-energy, choreographed live shows and a sound that blends rave-pop with a tongue-in-cheek attitude.
Musical Style and Production Analysis
“Brand New Me”; is a masterclass in pop fusion. It’s been described as a “pumped-up cartoon of a pop record” (Source: shemakesmusic.co.uk, 2025-11-04) and a “bubblegum, fan service update of ‘Nothing Can Stop Us'” (Source: radiocremebrulee.com, 2025-11-04). At its core, the track is a vibrant blend of electro-pop and 90s-inspired indie dance, with a hint of trip-hop in its DNA.
The production, helmed by Tim Powell (formerly of pop powerhouse Xenomania), Saint Etienne, and Reggie Goodchild of Confidence Man, is immaculate. Here’s a breakdown of what makes it so effective:
- Vocal Interplay: The natural pairing of Sarah Cracknell’s breathy, iconic vocals with Janet Planet’s energetic delivery is the heart of the song. Sarah’s signature spoken-word verses provide a cool, narrative contrast to the explosive, sung chorus.
- Layered Instrumentation: The track is built on a foundation of a funky, pulsating bassline, playful horn samples, and a driving beat. This creates a rich, textured soundscape that feels both retro and modern.
- Hook-Laden Structure: From the first note, the song is designed for maximum catchiness. The chorus is an earworm, and the arrangement builds and releases tension perfectly, keeping the listener engaged throughout its 3-minute and 3-second runtime. (Source: music.apple.com, 2025-11-04)
The official Hanna-Barbera-inspired animated video for “Brand New Me,” directed by Kyle Platts and Matt Lloyd.
What is the Meaning of the “Brand New Me” Lyrics?
The Brand New Me lyrics are a powerful declaration of independence and self-reinvention. The song isn’t about bitterness or regret; it’s a joyous celebration of moving forward. Let’s explore the themes from a few angles:
- Narrative of Transformation: The lyrics tell a story of someone who has consciously decided to change. The line “;You know I always change my mind” is reframed from a point of indecision to one of empowered choice. This isn’t a fleeting change; it’s a fundamental shift in identity.
- Emotional Empowerment: The song radiates positivity. Instead of dwelling on a past that “could’ve been a waste of time,” the narrator focuses on the excitement of the present and future. It’s about taking control and proudly announcing your evolution to the world.
- Symbolism of “Brand New”;: The phrase “Brand New Me” acts as a powerful, modern mantra. It symbolizes wiping the slate clean, not out of necessity, but out of a desire for growth. It’s the feeling of a new haircut, a new city, or a new perspective, all rolled into one infectious pop chorus.
This theme of self-empowerment is a timeless pop trope, but Saint Etienne & Confidence Man give it a fresh, modern spin that feels both authentic and exhilarating. The song’s meaning is clear: change is not something to be feared, but something to be celebrated and shouted from the rooftops.
How to Create a “Brand New Me” Vibe with Mureka AI
As a music creator, hearing a track like “Brand New Me” can be incredibly inspiring. You might think, “How can I capture that energy, that blend of styles?” This is where AI music creation tools, like Mureka, become your creative co-pilot. You don’t need a full studio or a team of producers to start experimenting with these sounds.
Let’s walk through how you could use Mureka to create music online with a similar feel.
Step 1: Define Your Core Idea with a Prompt
The magic of an AI music generator starts with your prompt. To get a “Brand New Me” style, you’d want to be specific. I’d start with a prompt like this:
Prompt: “Upbeat electro-pop with a 90s indie dance feel. Funky bassline, playful horn stabs, and a driving four-on-the-floor beat. Female lead vocal with a cool, spoken-word verse and a catchy, sung chorus. Vibe: empowering, celebratory, confident.”
This prompt gives the AI all the key ingredients: genre (electro-pop, indie dance), instrumentation (funky bass, horns), rhythm (four-on-the-floor), vocal style (female, spoken/sung), and mood (empowering, celebratory).
Step 2: Generate and Refine the Music
Mureka’s “Create Music” feature would take that prompt and generate several variations. This is where your role as a creator comes in. You can listen to the options and choose the one that best captures the song’s spirit. Maybe one has the perfect bassline, while another nails the vocal melody. With Mureka’s Pro plan, you can even download the stems (individual instrument tracks) to mix and match, or use the Audio Editor to tweak the arrangement.
Step 3: Add Your Unique Vocal Touch
One of the standout features of “;Brand New Me” is the vocal interplay. With Mureka, you can experiment with this. You could record your own spoken-word verse and sung chorus. Or, with advanced features like voice cloning, you could even use a reference voice to get a specific timbre. The platform’s text-to-speech and singing generators are powerful tools for mocking up vocal ideas quickly.
Step 4: Finalize and Master
Once you have the instrumental and vocal ideas locked in, you can use Mureka’s tools to structure the song, add transitions, and get it ready for release. The platform offers high-quality downloads (MP3 and WAV), and the commercial license means you can use your creation in your projects without worrying about royalties.
Diving Deeper: AI Music and the Future of Creativity
The creation of a song like “Brand New Me” is a human endeavor, but the tools and workflows behind music are rapidly evolving. The rise of AI-generated music isn’t about replacing artists; it’s about expanding the creative toolkit. Let’s explore this further, drawing from my experience with platforms like Mureka.
AI-Generated Music: A Comprehensive Overview
AI-generated music is changing how music is composed and produced by using artificial intelligence in creative work. AI music systems use machine learning algorithms to study large collections of existing music and create new tracks. This technology allows musicians and producers to try new sounds and ways of songwriting, broadening creativity. AI music creation supports traditional artists and offers new chances for automated music generation in fields like entertainment, advertising, and gaming.
Many examples of music made by AI show how generated music covers different styles. These examples highlight how algorithms can create melodies, chord progressions, and orchestration. By combining technology with artistic skills, AI-generated music keeps changing the music industry and raises questions about authorship and originality.
The Future of AI in Music: Predictions and Implications
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the music industry quickly. AI-generated music is becoming a major part of how music is composed and created. This change mixes human creativity with generative AI technology, changing how artists, producers, and listeners experience music. As machine learning improves, the way music is made will go through important changes that will affect creativity and how music is shared commercially.
The evolving role of human musicians is key. AI is mostly a tool that helps, not replaces, human creativity. Artists use AI to explore new sounds, augment their instruments, and streamline the creative process. This human-AI collaboration leads to new forms of musical expression, where musicians bring emotion and subtlety, and AI adds precision and novel ideas. This partnership will keep the music industry vibrant and innovative.
Conclusion: A Perfect Pop Moment and a Glimpse of the Future
“Brand New Me” is more than just a great pop song; it’s a testament to the magic that happens when creative forces collide. It’s a highlight from Saint Etienne’s final album, International, and a perfect showcase for the infectious energy of Confidence Man. The song’s themes of renewal and empowerment, combined with its flawless production, make it a modern classic.
For creators, this track serves as a fantastic case study in genre-blending and hook-writing. And with tools like Mureka.ai, the ability to deconstruct and recreate such vibes is more accessible than ever. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or just starting your journey with AI music creation, “Brand New Me” is a reminder that the goal is always the same: to make something that connects, excites, and inspires.
FAQ: “Brand New Me” and Mureka AI
Q1: What album is “Brand New Me” on?
“Brand New Me” is a track on Saint Etienne’;s thirteenth and final studio album, titled International, which was released on September 5, 2025. (Source: readdork.com, 2025-11-04)
Q2: Who are the members of Confidence Man?
The public faces of Confidence Man are vocalists Janet Planet and Sugar Bones. The other two members, Clarence McGuffie and Reggie Goodchild, are producers who typically perform in veiled costumes. (Source: gq.com.au, 2025-11-04)
Q3: Are there physical releases of the “Brand New Me” single?
Yes, the single was released as a limited edition 12” on both pink and black vinyl, as well as a four-track CD EP. The 12″ vinyl includes a David Penn remix of ‘7 Ways To Love’ on the B-side, while the CD EP features three previously unreleased Saint Etienne songs: ‘A Chance To Breathe’;, ‘Carbon Fibre’, and ‘She Needs Love’. (Source: Heavenly Recordings Bandcamp, 2025-11-04)
Q4: What are Mureka’s subscription plans?
Mureka offers two main plans. The Basic plan is $8/month (billed annually) for 400 songs/month with commercial licensing. The Pro plan is $24/month (billed annually) and includes 1,600 songs/month, WAV/stem downloads, advanced editing, and voice cloning features. (Source: Mureka AI File, 2025-11-04)
Q5: Can I use music I create with Mureka for commercial projects?
Yes, both the Basic and Pro plans on Mureka include a commercial license, allowing you to use the music you generate in marketing, films, and other media without ongoing royalty fees. However, it’s always best to review the specific terms of service. (Source: Mureka AI File, 2025-11-04)
Q6: How does an AI music generator like Mureka actually work?
AI music generators use deep learning models trained on vast datasets of music. They analyze patterns, structures, melodies, and rhythms to understand different genres. When you provide a prompt, the AI uses this knowledge to generate a new, unique piece of music that matches your description. You can learn more about the process from authoritative sources like the Journal of the Audio Engineering Society.
This report is for informational and educational purposes only.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer or company.
All information is provided on an as-is basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness.