Big Dog – Bria Salmena

Bria Salmena’s debut solo album, Big Dog, released on March 28, 2025, via Royal Mountain and Sub Pop, is a striking testament to transformation and resilience. Known for her commanding presence as the frontwoman of Canadian post-punk band FRIGS and her vocal work with Orville Peck, Salmena steps into her own with a record that’s as bold as its title suggests. Written with longtime collaborator Duncan Hay Jennings and enriched by contributions from Graham Walsh, Meg Remy, and Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo, Big Dog weaves an aural tapestry that’s both intimate and expansive.

The album opens with “Drastic,” a pop-rock confessional that sets the tone with its raw vulnerability, Salmena’s voice hovering over a runway of emotion she’s too hesitant to board. From there, Big Dog unfurls into a genre-blending journey – krautrock pulses in “Closer to You,” shoegaze shimmers in “See’er” (elevated by Ranaldo’s textured guitar), and gothic undertones brood in “Hammer.” Salmena’s vocals are the heartbeat of it all, shifting from tender to defiant, a warm glow cutting through the mechanical soundscapes. Tracks like “Peanut” showcase her ability to distill beauty from simplicity, its delicate piano and poignant lyrics – “You’re on a train in Japan, I’m sitting in the dark forgetting who I am” – building into a quiet crescendo.

“Gritty punk honesty wrestles with sleek atmospherics.”

What makes Big Dog resonate is its duality: gritty punk honesty wrestles with sleek atmospherics, reflecting Salmena’s personal evolution from self-sabotage to empowerment. The title, born from a friend’s pep talk, embodies this shift, and the collaborative spirit – Jennings’ production and Remy’s vocal coaching grounds it in community. Standouts like “Stretch the Struggle” pulse with rebellious energy, while “Rags” unleashes a visceral post-punk snarl. Yet, it’s the quieter moments, like “Twilight,” that reveal Salmena’s depth, her voice a steady anchor amid emotional turbulence.

Big Dog isn’t just a debut – it’s a declaration. Bria Salmena balances big emotions with ambitious soundscapes, crafting a record that’s unpredictable, raw, and unapologetically her own. It’s a transformative howl into the void, proving she’s not just a big dog – she’s the whole pack.

Big Dog is available on vinyl (loser edition) and CD here.

Label: Sub Pop
Release date: March 28, 2025