Holly Brickley鈥檚 debut 鈥淒eep Cuts鈥� is a book for music lovers. Not just any type of music lovers 鈥� diehard music fans who enjoy analyzing every element of a song鈥檚 composition as well as its origin story.
Taking place in the early 2000s, this novel follows music writer Percy and her love interest Joe, an aspiring musician, as they progress from college students to working professionals. Brickley explores the push-pull dynamic between a critic and her criticized as the characters walk the line between intimate connection and superficial renown, as well as the greed that comes with both. The novel is a coming-of-age in its own right, delving into the pain points of becoming a young adult.
With each chapter title the name of a different song, 鈥淒eep Cuts鈥� becomes a series of music essays breaking down both form and the evolution of popular music genres as they relate to Percy鈥檚 fictional life. The title is a reference to the concept of 鈥渄eep cuts,鈥� or songs by popular musicians unfamiliar to the public but revered by critics.
Percy is a self-described 鈥渟idekick,鈥� and she stays that way throughout the novel, taking a backseat to the intricacies of other characters鈥� lives. Joe, on the other hand, has a compelling backstory and complicated emotional wounds. The reasons they can鈥檛 be together get increasingly frustrating as Percy inserts unnecessary conflict.
鈥淒eep Cuts鈥� contains a similar music composition subplot as by Taylor Jenkins Reid, as well as the cultural and technological setting of 鈥淢y Year of Rest and Relaxation鈥� by Brickley鈥檚 lived experience is apparent as she references people, places and things with realistic detail.
The book uses mixed media, like Instant Messages, blog posts, notebook entries, and even an external to immerse readers. Using songs as chapter titles is a charming way to bring audiences into the story, though hard to keep up with at times. Brickley does a good job breaking down each song for those less familiar with the book鈥檚 discography or music theory in general.
Ultimately, music wins out over love in 鈥淒eep Cuts鈥� as Percy and Joe discover their place in the music industry 鈥� and each other鈥檚 lives.
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AP book reviews:
Rachel S. Hunt, The Associated Press
