Ever since bursting onto London's music landscape in 2021, Ron Briskin has been steadily building a reputation for honest storytelling, unvarnished production, and a commitment to live performance. Having carved out a distinctive footprint across grass-roots venues like Shoreditch's The Star, Hope and Anchor, and O'Neill's Soho, the singer-songwriter has recently announced a textured companion piece to his debut LP.
Continuing the moment of last year’s debut, ‘Heart of Clay’, the companion EP, ‘Heart of Clay: Fragments’ looks to add a new chapter. At the heart of the new EP is a new live rendition of the album opener, ‘Not the Same’, recorded live from Queen's Park London. A fittingly titled release, this new version takes the familiarity of the original but blends it seamlessly with Ron’s passion for live music.
'Not the Same (Live)’ offers an energetic reimagining of a fan-favourite track from his debut record. Captured in a seamless single-take performance, the recording pairs unfiltered stage intensity with crisp production finesse. Flanked by lead guitarist Ryan Philips, bassist Joe Standing, and drummer Sidney Healey, Briskin pours genuine conviction into every line, breathing fresh vitality into the original arrangement.
Thematically, the song carries the same emotional weight as the album version, anchored by the introspective opening lines, “Black was a shade, but now it's a feeling, life just went by, it didn't need a meaning.” At its core, the song confronts the lingering ache of regret, the sting of lost connections, and the frustrating reality of unrepeatable time. It’s a feeling brought to life by Ron in the studio, with each line delivered with a knowing sense of familiarity.
Musically, the live arrangement is just as impactful. Digging straight into the golden era of early 2000s indie rock, Ron and his band deliver a steady, deliberate bassline, layered guitar textures and authentic grit that builds towards an explosive post-chorus triumph. Staggered hooks wash over thumping percussion, while the guitar work driving the track forward from the 2:15 mark delivers a thrilling nod to guitar-led trailblazers like The Strokes and early Arctic Monkeys.
You can stream 'Not the Same' (Live) alongside the full EP on Spotify, watch the music video above, and keep up with Ron Briskin’s upcoming show dates by following him on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
