James Bruner’s latest single, “OMG,” represents a significant creative milestone for the Nashville-based artist. Born from a collaborative writing session in 2024 with Shane Weisman, the track serves as a testament to the chemistry that can emerge when two songwriters commit to a vision before overthinking the process. Bruner describes the song as a “writing risk” that ultimately set the tone for his broader musical direction.
A Story of Spontaneous Connection
The narrative of “OMG” is refreshingly straightforward: a chance encounter at a crosswalk that leaves the protagonist completely captivated. While such themes can easily veer into cliché, Bruner avoids this by focusing on the raw, immediate feeling of the moment. The song occupies a vibrant pop-rock space, characterized by a catchy, infectious vocal hook—the “la la la la” refrain—that Bruner recalls recording with genuine excitement.
“Listening back to it now, I can still get that giddy feeling that I had the day we laid down the ‘la la la la’ before the final chorus,” Bruner notes. This commitment to maintaining the original energy of the session is what gives the track its authentic identity.
Refining the Pop-Rock Sound
Drawing inspiration from legendary acts like The Rolling Stones and the modern indie-rock sensibilities of Arctic Monkeys, Bruner has crafted a sound that balances guitar-driven melodies with a contemporary edge. His approach to songwriting mirrors the tension found in classic indie tracks, where the focus is less on a definitive confession and more on the electric, uneasy space of attraction.
Having toured extensively across the United States and the United Kingdom alongside acts like The Struts, Barns Courtney, and William Fitzsimmons, Bruner has developed a keen sense of scale. He understands how to build a song that resonates in a packed venue, ensuring that “OMG” feels both intimate and arena-ready. By embracing the discomfort of trying something new, Bruner has successfully translated his live experience into a studio recording that feels both polished and urgent.
“OMG” is available now as of July 10, 2026.