What started as a project in Brett McCutcheon’s sophomore year of high-school with his friend June Bracken after the death of his brother, Ryan, evolved to a five-track EP that he composed throughout his college career and finished in his senior year at Slippery Rock University. During the Winter of 2025, Brett, along with Bob McCutcheon and Jenni Schlieper wrote the score for the documentary.
You can download the music on Apple Music and Spotify and watch the Sinking music video below.
DOWNLOAD & LISTEN TO THE OCEAN – FIVE YEARS ALBUM
Music & Lyrics by Brett McCutcheon & June Bracken
Click here to download The Ocean – Five Years Album Lyrics.
Please note: Concert Band Sheet Music for The Ocean – Five Years Coming Winter 2025. If interested in being added to the waitlist, email the composer at bwmccut@gmail.com.
1. THE INTRO
Written by Brett McCutcheon and June Bracken
Arranged, composed and produced by Brett McCutcheon
“The Intro” starts with the present self, looking back at the ocean from the shoreline. The hopeful orchestration contrasts with the lyrics from Brett’s original release five years ago. The new piano theme, combined with June Bracken’s vocal harmonies, symbolizes the idea that everything was going to be okay. However, even as time has passed, we find ourselves continuing to struggle with grief. The digitally reversed orchestra transitions us back into old memories as we rewind the clock.
2. SINKING
Written by Brett McCutcheon and June Bracken
Performed by June Bracken
Arranged, composed and produced by Brett McCutcheon
Featuring Chris Jamison
“Sinking” (feat. Chris Jamison) explores the initial stage of grief: denial. It begins with the sound of waves crashing into the initial piano theme, accompanied by vocals from Chris Jamison, all symbolizing the person who has been lost. June’s vocals express a plea to regain the memories they shared, represented by the metaphor of the clock ticking for lost time. The combination of sorrowful vocals and joyful orchestration creates a sense of disbelief. The song concludes with the first realization of loss, marked by sudden low notes from the piano and deep strings.
Sinking feat. Chris Jamison – Music Video – June Bracken and Brett McCutcheon
3. THE BOTTOM
Written by Brett McCutcheon and June Bracken
Performed by June Bracken
Arranged, composed and produced by Brett McCutcheon
The orchestra gives “The Bottom” its lonely and depressed ambiance through dark and eerie tones. The seemingly unending cycle of negative thoughts inspires repetitive lyrics from June. Now, at the ocean’s lowest depths, we can gaze upward to witness society continuing its journey through the passing waves without us. The notion of swimming upward seems futile as we plunge deeper into darkness and despair. The overwhelming power of the entire orchestra delivers a resounding declaration of no return.
4. FLOATING
Written by Brett McCutcheon and June Bracken
Performed by June Bracken
Arranged, composed and produced by Brett McCutcheon
Featuring Chris Jamison
Hope emerges in “Floating.” June’s vocals embrace grief and set forth on a journey to honor the lost. There’s an acknowledgment that nothing will remain the same, but this doesn’t imply that life halts for all those affected. In fact, those we lose never truly depart. Chris Jamison’s vocals and a clock’s ticking reappear in the final chorus. As the chorus concludes, we revisit the original piano theme from “Sinking” to symbolize the departed person, while the song closes with the waves crashing on the shore where it all commenced.
5. THE SHORE
Written by Brett McCutcheon
Performed by Chris Jamison
Arranged, composed and produced by Brett McCutcheon
“The Shore” portrays the perspective five years later by posing two questions: “What now?” and “Did I make him proud?” We swiftly recognize that the process of grief has never followed a linear path. One day we may feel on top of the world, and the next, we might feel submerged in the depths of the ocean. While reflecting, memories and themes from the past resurface, shifting the mindset away from striving to make the lost person proud, instead realizing they were proud all along. The music builds and fades into Chris Jamison’s first featured lyrics: “At what point do you become the older sibling?” This climactic build marks a significant coming-of-age moment for us, combining the essence of “The Intro” and “Sinking.” We move beyond living through the lost, instead beginning to live our lives alongside those we grieve. Everything was always destined to be okay.