New York, NY (October 24th, 2025) – Today, Nashville-via-Philly experimental trio Besphrenz release their long-awaited debut album, bert. Fusing the emotional pull of indie-rock with the smooth textures of R&B, bert captures the raw honesty and restless creativity that have defined the group’s evolution from backyard jam sessions to fully realized artistry. Dual vocalists C.J. Smith and Tay Richardson trade verses and harmonies that blur the line between vulnerability and groove, while producer and multi-instrumentalist Rob Deckhart builds lush, layered soundscapes that ground their freeform energy in warmth and texture. The result is an album that feels both intimate and expansive — a reflection of friendship, experimentation, and finding beauty in the in-between. |
Focus track “Drama Queen” hits like a final act with bold guitars, messy emotions, and the sound of someone finally ending the chaos. The melodic confessional track details a story of not letting go of that one thing the other person refuses to talk about. With lyrics quietly hummed along a guitar that shouts, this track mixes bedroom indie with funky riffs. Coming to a close with twinkling guitar finishes and clearer lyrics that pull every last thread of feeling to the surface. |
For Besphrenz, bert began as an inside joke — a nod to the “Roberts” between them, with vocalists CJ and Tay both carrying the middle name and instrumentalist Rob embodying it outright. That playful spirit set the tone for the album, which captures the trio’s signature blend of friendship, chaos, and catharsis. Introspective, unadulterated, and not intentionally derivative of anything else – bert draws comparisons to the soft, dream-laced sounds of late 2010’s bedroom pop fused with hazy, synth-driven R&B. Hoping to capture the quiet nostalgia tucked inside everyday moments, Besphrenz approached bert with equal parts reflection and play. The songs drift between indie-pop, R&B, and alt-rap, all tied together by Rob Deckhart’s modern and incomparable production — a style praised by artists like Gorillaz, Chris Martin, and Camila Cabello for its originality and emotional depth. His sonic fingerprint and the trio’s chemistry create a sound that feels alive, nostalgic in its warmth yet refreshingly unplaceable. “It’s not perfect by any means, but I’m proud of the fact that it’s real, it’s homemade, and it’s spirited. Every influence channeled on it is very pure and close to each of us. I’d say there was a lot of hard work and struggle involved but mostly it was just good times as buds that culminated into songs. Hopefully that’s apparent to everyone who listens, thanks in advance if you do.” – Bert (Robert Deckhart) That versatility is on full display across their run of singles leading up to bert, from the warm and easy charm of “kozy” and the anxious introspection of “heart attack” to the collaborative spirit of “yeah,” which features Philly rock mainstays Anthony Green (Circa Survive) and Keith Goodwin (Good Old War). Each track adds a new shade to Besphrenz’ palette, tracing the emotional ups and downs that ultimately shape the record. |
bert Tracklisting: norf o.m.w stop & smell the roses far from perfect kozy heart attack drama queen yeah ft. Anthony Green & Keith Goodwin you changed baby blu like song tired eyes (bert version) breakdown |
Photo Credit: Dana Kalachnik |
Pronounced best friends, Besphrenz are a Nashville-via-Philly trio who have been inseparable since childhood, growing from backyard jam sessions into a genre-bending project that refuses to sit still. Their songs blur the lines between indie-pop, R&B, and alt-rap, channeling the boundless, kinetic energy of their lifelong bond. While the members might moonlight elsewhere, writing with Anthony Green one day, co-owning Nashville’s speakeasy-style Blind Barber the next, Besphrenz remains their creative home base – a place to play without limits. |
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