Trauma is the sixth studio album by Downes-Braide Association (DBA). Originally formed as a studio project by Geoff Downes (Buggles, Yes, Asia) and writer/producer Chris Braide (The Producers, Sia, Lana Del Rey), the band has mined familiar territory, following in the footsteps of The Buggles and Asia, with a greater emphasis on vocals. According to the band’s website, the new album explores “the ghosts we inherit, the wounds we carry and the hope that endures… ultimately an album about survival.” The message of rising above is clearly front and centre on Trauma, with both lyrical positivity and a generally sunny musical disposition.
Hello, Hello sets the tone for the rest of the album. The melodic development is eerily reminiscent of The Buggles, with strong hooks and great ensemble playing by the band. The bright melody belies the darker lyrics. However, the opening lines “I don’t want my life to be a train wreck/I don’t want to die alone and wasted” resolve into the powerful “Hold tight I’m right beside you”. No matter how long and dark the tunnel, there is a light at the very end.
The title track, Trauma, adds a touch more prog to the proceedings. A simple piano phrase and a plaintive vocal insist “There’s a light inside of you”. The song finds its pulse once the full band kicks in, then see-saws between urgency and consolation. Braide has a gift for a catchy melody, combined with Downes’ knack for simple but interesting accompaniment. Yet somehow the whole does not rise above the sum of its parts. Whereas in Asia John Wetton’s voice sat atop a sea of instrumental pyrotechnics, here it appears that the band is reluctant to cut loose, lest they step into Braide’s spotlight. King Of Karma makes an attempt to break through, but the band never quite seem to gain momentum. The acoustic guitar and bass are notable but buried too far back in the mix; even the drums are more sensed than felt, resulting in a sensation that the vocals are floating above some hazy proceedings beneath them.
Wonderland captures an eighties Howard Jones vibe which feels out of step with the rest of the album. As usual, though, the vocals are catchy, layered with interesting harmonic ideas. Instrumentally, it’s a different story; it takes until Dave Bainbridge’s guitar solo for the song to take off, then it’s over all too quickly.
The arrangement of Love And Loss gives the band some breathing room. The problem here is that the song’s repetitive nature gives them nowhere to go. David Longdon’s flute intro reminds us all of what a great loss his passing has been to the prog community, and Emmi’s barely there backing vocals make you wonder why she even bothered to show up. The drums at least assert themselves on I Wish I’d Known. Albeit buried in the lower depths of the mix, Downes’ organ feels substantial. The percussive guitars give the song a modern edge, and Bainbridge contributes another gorgeous guitar solo. But this is still Braide’s show, and the front and centre vocals prove that.
The very brief opening instrumental of Do You Remember? makes you wish that the band could play a bit more before the vocal crowds them out. Marc Almond duets with Braide on Juliet and manages to hold his own. However, neither vocalist feels committed to the lyrics, and this brief song is thankfully over before it becomes painful. I had high hopes for the fourteen minute plus Lake Of Memories. Surely, this would be where the band breaks out and struts their stuff. The rhythm section is nimble and assertive, Bainbridge’s guitar adds interest and colour, Downes even gets a short organ solo to remind you that he’s part of the band. The song has enough changes in mood and approach to warrant its length, but Braide manages to sing over nearly every measure. All is not lost. At around the eleven minute mark, the song takes a more tranquil turn with acoustic guitars and the sound of birds and gurgling streams. The ghost of Close To The Edge hangs above this section, and the band get to close out the song in a Yes-like fashion.
The album closes with the mixed bag of Wherever You Are Now. Introduced by a short poem credited to XTC’s Andy Partridge, narrated by Delilah Barrett, the spoken word piece feels dropped randomly into the album. The string arrangement accompanying the grand piano lends the song a dual sense of grandeur and regret. Braide’s vocal feels at one with the song, rather than stepping all over it, and he wisely gives the tune over to the band to play the song out. If only there had been more of that.
DBA’s Trauma has fallen into the same trap as Anderson/Stolt’s Invention Of Knowledge. Phenomenal musicians waiting around for something to do on what are truly very good songs, but the vocals filling every available space detracts from, rather than enhances, the songs. A strong independent producer could have reined in the excess and polished these songs into shining, 24 karat beauty. Instead, we have a gold plated object that looks good at first, but does not hold up to scrutiny.
TRACK LISTING
01. Hello, Hello (4:57)
02. Trauma (8:20)
03. King Of Karma (4:53)
04. Wonderland (5:12)
05. Love And Loss (3:16)
06. I Wish I’d Known (4:11)
07. Do You Remember? (4:54)
08. Juliet (2:24)
09. Lake Of Memories (14:29)
10. Wherever You Are Now (5:44)
Total Time – 58:20
MUSICIANS
Geoff Downes – Piano, Keyboards, Programming
Chris Braide – Vocals, Piano, Keyboards, Guitars, Programming,
Dave Bainbridge – Lead Electric Guitars, Acoustic Guitars, 12 String Guitars
Ash Soan – Drums
Tim Weller – Drums
Andy Hodge – Bass
~ With:
David Longdon – Flute
Emmi – Duet Vocal (5)
Marc Almond – Duet Vocal (8)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Cherry Red Records
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 25th September 2026
LINKS
Downes Braide Association – Website | Facebook | YouTube | X
