SHAWN BROWN RELEASES NEW SINGLE “WHAT A WAY TO GO,” OUT TODAY, JULY 24
- Bradley PR & Marketing
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Portland singer-songwriter returns with an anthemic rock sing-along produced by Grecco Buratto, with limited-edition vinyl 45 and hometown release shows to follow
(PORTLAND, OR) - JULY 24, 2026 — Portland-based singer/songwriter Shawn Brown has dropped his new single, “What a Way to Go,” today via Bootney Lee Records. An anthemic, full-throttle rocker about doomed young love fighting to survive against impossible odds, the song marks one of Brown’s biggest and most electrified releases to date.
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Produced by acclaimed musician and producer Grecco Buratto, whose credits include Shakira, Tegan and Sara, and Lionel Richie, “What a Way to Go” leans into a sweeping, guitar-driven sound built on pounding rhythms and a soaring chorus made for late-night drives, sweaty club rooms, and voices singing at full volume. Channeling the emotional urgency of artists like Sam Fender, The Gaslight Anthem and Counting Crows, the track pairs expansive rock arrangements with Brown’s unmistakable voice and deeply personal songwriting.
At its heart, “What a Way to Go” tells the story of two people clinging to love while the world around them feels increasingly uncertain. It is a portrait of young romance tested by pressure, instability, and the weight of modern life. Equal parts defiant and bittersweet, the song turns that tension into a cathartic rock anthem.
“I wanted this song to feel like the moment when two people realize the world might be falling apart around them, but they’re still holding onto each other anyway,” Brown says. “Sometimes all that’s left to do is turn the guitars up, sing your heart out, and go down swinging.”
The single was recorded in Brown’s adopted hometown of Portland, Oregon at The Trench with engineer Gregg Williams and features the full Shawn Brown Band lineup alongside Buratto’s expansive production work. Longtime collaborators Ben Landsverk on piano and Wurlitzer, Jeff Langston on bass, and Ned Failing on drums provide the song’s driving backbone, while Buratto layers electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin and backing vocals to create a rich, soaring soundscape. The track was mixed by Tiago Becker and mastered by Juan Garcia Petri, rounding out the trusted creative team behind Brown’s recent recordings.
To celebrate the release, Brown will appear at two Portland-area shows, including a July 25 listening party and in-store performance at The Record Pub in Portland, followed by a full-band performance on August 20 at The White Eagle. A limited-edition vinyl 45 will also be available in select Pacific Northwest indie record shops, featuring “What a Way to Go” along with the bonus track “Hold Fast.”
After returning to music in 2021 following nearly a decade away, Brown has steadily built a body of work defined by emotional honesty, genre-blurring instincts, and fearless songwriting. From the reflective reemergence of “Angel of Oakland” to the collaborative spirit of “The Rain Parade,” Brown has continued to refine a sound that moves between soul, R&B, roots rock, folk, and guitar-based pop without settling neatly into any one lane.
Recent singles including “The Sad Ones” and “Hold Fast” helped pave the way for his most recent EP, Into the Furious Light, further establishing Brown as a Pacific Northwest artist with a distinct voice and a rare ability to turn personal struggle into something communal. With “What a Way to Go,” he pushes that momentum further, delivering his most explosive and cathartic recording yet.
Upcoming Shows:
July 25 — The Record Pub — Portland, OR (Listening party + in-store performance)
August 20 — McMenamins White Eagle Saloon — Portland, OR (Full-band performance)
September 26 — Artichoke Music - Portland, OR (Solo Acoustic)
Press Quotes:
“Brown’s scrumptious, reedy voice, [is] one of those voices that is so distinctive they burrow into your ears and your soul.” — The Young Folks
“Brown has clearly found the musical open road and he swings loose and free, his voice as dexterous and assured as ever.” — Stereo Embers Magazine
“He's got a great way of being able to tell stories with his songwriting and his approach is so natural that it almost hints towards a nostalgic feeling as well.” — Buzzslayers Blog
“Brown’s wicked, inimitable vocals imbue the lyrics with urgent energy.” — Celebmix
About Shawn Brown:
Shawn Brown’s music has always moved fluidly between genres. While deeply influenced by soul singers, R&B, and guitar-driven pop, he has also long drawn from his love of roots rock. After an extended break from music, Brown re-emerged in recent years with well-received singles including “Angel of Oakland,” “Testify,” “Road of Bones,” “The Sad Ones” and “Hold Fast,” continuing to blur the lines between the sounds that move him most.
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