The latest release from Brendan McNamara’s musical project Extra Time has arrived, and it’s not just a song—it’s a profound emotional journey. The third single from his album Songs With Long Titles, “The Boy Who Dreamed of the Stars,” takes on a heavy and personal topic: child abuse. Paired with a visually striking animated video, this song is more than music; it’s an experience that confronts trauma and offers a pathway to healing.
A Personal Story Woven into Song
Brendan McNamara, the driving force behind Extra Time, doesn’t just write about abstract emotions. He takes on real pain, offering listeners a glimpse into his own difficult past. “The Boy Who Dreamed of the Stars” reflects Brendan’s own experience as a child who survived abuse. This isn’t about sympathy; it’s about processing a buried trauma that shaped his childhood.
“As a survivor of this situation, I finally wanted to address this subject through a song,” Brendan explained. “It’s my way of dealing with something that was buried in my past. The song is an attempt to process this experience and deal positively with the trauma you can face in life.”
While Brendan insists he’s not seeking pity, the song brings a message of survival and self-empowerment. He emphasizes that he’s had a “good life” and doesn’t place blame on others for any mistakes he’s made. For him, it’s about turning a painful experience into a healing message.
The Story of the Boy and the Stars
In the song, the abuser lures a young child with a telescope and the promise of seeing the stars—metaphorically revealing how predators manipulate and prey on innocent trust. The song’s delicate handling of such a heavy topic shows Brendan’s maturity as both a storyteller and an artist.
Brendan says he’s aware of the gravity of what’s happening in the world, in war zones, and to children everywhere. His story isn’t meant to overshadow those larger tragedies, but rather to offer a personal reflection on how trauma can be processed, healed, and transformed.
A Visually Stunning Collaboration
The accompanying video, directed by Portland-based Nikita Kibirev, breathes life into Brendan’s music through an artistic style that blends 2D and 3D animation. Inspired by German Expressionism and psychological horror, the video draws on visual narratives like Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shining, adding layers of depth to the already emotionally charged song. This surreal and haunting video offers a psychological portrayal of childhood trauma, matching the tone of the song perfectly.
Nikita shares how exciting it was to work on this project: “This was a fantastic collaboration. I was thrilled to start working on the structure of the story after Brendan, Katie, and Janelle had already chosen the format and conceptual elements.”
The video’s mood is a chilling yet magical experience, reflecting the inner world of a child dealing with unspeakable horrors. Illustrator and character designer Janelle Barone helped create the ethereal and atmospheric visuals that made the story visually accessible yet emotionally complex. Her approach was to draw contrasts between a seemingly safe, suburban environment and the dreamlike vastness of space, reflecting how reality and dreams intertwine for children navigating trauma.
“As soon as I heard the song, I immediately imagined a house as the central element of the story,” Janelle said. “I wanted the visuals to have a surreal, atmospheric quality.”
Art with a Purpose: More Than Just Music
Extra Time isn’t your typical pop project—Brendan McNamara focuses on creating cinematic, harmonically complex music. Songs With Long Titles is the perfect example of how Extra Time pushes boundaries by combining deep storytelling with musical innovation. The new single The Boy Who Dreamed of the Stars is a thought-provoking track that invites reflection on how art can address sensitive topics while promoting healing.
What makes this release even more impressive is the collective effort behind it. Recorded and mastered at Damien Gerard Studios in West Gosford and released globally through Foghorn Records, this song and its accompanying video are now available to a global audience. From Spotify to gatefold vinyl, listeners can experience this hauntingly beautiful piece across platforms.
The Critics Are Raving: Mr. Benjamins’ Review
Mr. Benjamins from This is Hip Hop HQ weighed in on the track, offering high praise:
“Your flow is perfectly in sync with the beat, and the way you’ve managed to effortlessly connect with your listeners through both the rhythm and lyrics is truly impressive. Your unique style and artistic expression set you apart, and it’s clear you have something special to offer.”
Giving the track a perfect 10/10, Mr. Benjamins highlighted the “calming, laid-back, and almost hypnotic vibe” of the song. It’s this blend of emotion and atmosphere that makes The Boy Who Dreamed of the Stars such a standout in today’s music scene.
The Journey Ahead
With previous singles like Where is the Light already making waves—having been selected for the Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival—Extra Time is on a roll. The new video has all the ingredients to captivate audiences just as much, if not more. Brendan McNamara and his team have demonstrated once again that they are fearless in taking on complex subjects and turning them into art that matters.
The release of The Boy Who Dreamed of the Stars continues the success of Songs With Long Titles and proves that Brendan McNamara is unafraid to dig deep into personal and universal pain to create something transformative.
Links:
Check out the new release and follow Extra Time on their journey:
- Listen on Spotify
- Extra Time on Instagram
- Animation Director Nikita Kibirev
- Illustrator Janelle Barone
Quiz:
- What is the main focus of The Boy Who Dreamed of the Stars video release?
- What are the key elements discussed in the creation of the song and video?
- How does the article add historical context to Extra Time’s musical journey?
- What current events or news related to Extra Time were mentioned?
- What call to action is included for artists and listeners?