In I’d Rather Pretend, released on July 26, 2024, Bryant Barnes continues to shape his identity within the alternative R&B landscape, a journey that began with his breakout single Adore You.

This latest track, a highlight from his debut Vanity EP (also dropped on July 26, 2024), delves into the complexities of emotional recovery and guardedness after a period of detachment.

The song was written by Andrew Luce, Bryant Barnes, Calle Lehmann, and Kristofer Eriksson.

Bryant Barnes, originally from Cypress, Texas, switched from sports to music, focusing on classical piano and cello.

His musical expertise is evident in “I’d Rather Pretend,” where the piano lays down a foundation of haunting simplicity.

The intro’s gentle keystrokes set the stage for a deeply personal exploration, and the beat, subtle yet palpable, echoes the tentative steps one takes towards opening up after emotional withdrawal.

Barnes’ delivery of the collaboratively crafted lyrics in “I’d Rather Pretend” is raw and introspective.

His vocals glide over this backdrop, his voice a mix of honey and hesitation.

He doesn’t belt out his feelings; instead, he lets them simmer just below the surface, inviting listeners to lean in close.

He articulates a profound sense of rediscovered feeling with lines like “Got so used to feeling nothing at all / For so long,” capturing the essence of emotional reawakening.

The chorus confronts the listener with a poignant inquiry about the authenticity of newfound emotions, encapsulating the fear and hope of letting someone in again.

What’s striking about “I’d Rather Pretend” is its refusal to wrap things up neatly.

Unlike many love songs that end in either blissful union or dramatic rejection, Barnes and his co-writers linger in the murky middle ground.

The repeated refrain of “I’d rather pretend” isn’t triumphant; it’s a coping mechanism, a shield against potential pain.

It’s a promising sign for an artist who cites influences ranging from XXXTENTACION to the Interstellar soundtrack.

“I’d Rather Pretend” not only advances Barnes’ narrative from the emotionally charged Losing You but also builds upon the thematic and vocal foundations laid in “Adore You.”

For fans of Daniel Caesar or anyone who appreciates R&B that dives below the surface, “I’d Rather Pretend” offers a raw, unfiltered look at the scary parts of falling in love again.

It’s not always pretty, but it’s undeniably human.

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Bryant Barnes “I’d Rather Pretend” Lyrics

Verse 1
Love
Guess you found a way to get through
Got so used to feeling nothing at all
For so long (long)
Now all I wanna do is love you
But my head is holding up my heart, my heart

Pre-Chorus
And I’ve seen all the signs
What if they’re all lies?
Will it even matter what you say?
Can you make these feelings go away?

Chorus
Tell me, is this real to you?
‘Cause I can feel my heart again
You’re so tempting but I’m scared so I’d rather pretend
That I don’t love you like I do
‘Cause I don’t wanna hurt again
I wanna love you but I’m scared so I’d rather pretend
I’d rather pretend
I’d rather pretend, oh-oh, oh-oh

Verse 2
What if I’m at a loss
Hoping you’ll come back to me when you’re gone?
There’s so many ways I’ve seen this going wrong
So many ways I’ve seen this fall apart

Pre-Chorus
‘Cause I’ve seen all the signs
What if they’re all lies?
Will it even matter what you say?
Can you make these feelings go away?

Chorus
Tell me, is this real to you?
‘Cause I can feel my heart again
You’re so tempting, but I’m scared so I’d rather pretend
That I don’t love you like I do
‘Cause I don’t wanna hurt again
I wanna love you but I’m scared so I’d rather pretend
(Pretend, pretend, oh)