Image Courtesty of Canva

Brady Lasher ‘26

COLUMNIST

Following the breakup of the beloved rock group black midi, which he helped form and served as the lead singer of, enigmatic frontman Geordie Greep has arrived with his first solo record–and it’s nothing short of breathtaking. Highlighted by vibrant, layered instrumentation and exaggerated and theatrical vocals, The New Sound fills its 62-minute runtime with stunning arrangements. At only 25 years old, Greep has talent and knowledge beyond his years, and he showcases that talent brilliantly on this album.

From the first track, “Blues,” the album’s themes begin to develop. The writing is vivid and specific, centering around a man so caught up in his appearance that he is unable to accept the truth of his performative narcissism. The instrumental crescendos brilliantly, highlighted by the distressed climax at the end of the track. “Terra” is about this same self-centered character, with instrumentation that is less intense but still exciting and technically impressive.

The third track, “Holy, Holy,” is the peak of the record, highlighted by cunning and specific writing. Backed by a flurry of frantic guitars, he sings in rich detail of a night at the bar where he causes the finest woman to swoon. However, as the song progresses, hints of insecurity appear, and the truth of the situation arises. The way the second half of the track reveals the reality is simply genius. Additionally, his voice is nothing short of theatrical, and soars throughout the song. The ensuing title track provides a breather as the instrumental takes the focus. Later in the tracklist, “Motorbike,” features Seth Evans, an essential former member of black midi who helped this record to come to life, and he does not disappoint with his vocal performance. Instead of opting for the extreme bravado characteristic of Geordie Greep, Evans sings with a cutting conviction that feels almost emotional, best seen in the line “Would you love someone like me / If you knew you could not get caught?” Evans showcases a lot of promise with this feature, leaving listeners like myself to hope for a future full-length release from him.

On the next song, “As if Waltz,” Greep continues to shine. His vocals sway between high and low, and the instrumental dances between relaxed and anxious as the seven-minute runtime flies by. Shockingly, this track is dwarfed by the following song, “The Magician,” which clocks in at a colossal twelve minutes. On “The Magician,” Greep paints a vivid picture of a man desperate to escape his flawed marriage. The song builds slowly and tugs at your heartstrings, and the soft instrumental complements his vocals brilliantly.

Throughout his debut solo album, Greep illustrates that he is one of the most talented young musicians in England, and is only beginning to establish himself as a solo artist. His vocals are beyond entertaining, and the instrumentals are layered, technical, and captivating. It is by no means radio-friendly, but The New Sound is a rewarding experience if you are willing to give it a try. While I wasn’t certain what to expect from this album on first listen, The New Sound has cemented itself comfortably as one of the best albums of the year and potentially the decade.