Universal Mind grew out of Chris Braide’s desire to make an album that brought together the scale and ambition of progressive music with the immediacy of great pop songwriting.
At its heart, the album explores the conflict between the authentic and constructed self — the unresolved dualism between who we are, who we think we are, and the identities we create in order to survive. Those ideas run throughout the record, giving Universal Mind a darker and more introspective centre beneath its expansive melodies and widescreen production.
Musically, Braide drew on the records that had shaped him: sophisticated, melodic albums where musicianship and production served the song rather than overwhelmed it. He has described the territory as somewhere between the atmospheric precision of The Police’s Ghost in the Machine and the modern progressive pop of Yes’s 90125.
The resulting project became This Oceanic Feeling — a vehicle for Braide’s songs, voice and production, with a sound that was simultaneously progressive, melodic and contemporary.
The album’s Put Down the Gun was subsequently nominated for Anthem of the Year at the Classic Rock Awards.
‘Crafted tunes and hooks that burrow into the brain’ - Louder sound
‘Sophisticated’, ‘some long lost record by The Police?’,’Echos of Yes’ - Ramzine
‘One of the strongest albums I've heard all year’ - Sea Of Tranquility
‘Outstanding!’ - Rocktopia
‘Refined, melodic, artistic and well-crafted’ - Grande - rock
‘One of the best albums of 2015’ - DPRP
‘Waves of approval’, ‘Highly recommended’ - Odayrox
‘Accessible, yet so intelligent and entertaining’ - Weekend Prog