Following the buzz of their 2023 album 3D Country and frontman Cameron Winter’s acclaimed solo effort Heavy Metal, Geese return with Getting Killed. This record embraces a more sombre tone while still carrying much of the organised chaos fans have come to expect.
Starting off the tracklist, the album opens with the explosive ‘Trinidad’, where Winter’s frantic refrain, “there’s a bomb in my car”, spirals into manic rambling that is as difficult to decipher as it is compelling to follow. From there, the mood softens with ‘Cobra’, a reflective track that introduces some of the central themes of the record: desperation and isolation.
The title track recalls the high-voltage moments of 3D Country, driven by a soaring build and choral backing. This is followed by the softer ‘Islands of Men’, which thoughtfully explores masculinity from the perspective of someone alienated by it.
The second half opens with ‘Half-Real’, which meditates on incompleteness, featuring a really captivating vocal performance from Winter, with the song even cutting off abruptly to highlight this theme. Next, ‘Au Pays Du Cocaine’ reinforces the album’s central theme of desperation through the repetition of the striking line, “you can change and still choose me.” This is elegantly paired with guitar textures reminiscent of Radiohead, culminating in the most emotionally striking segment of the album. The lead single ‘Taxes’ is the most popular track, combining dark lyricism with infectious hooks and a powerful, chantable chorus.
Finally, the closer ‘Long Island City, Here I Come’ is a deeply poetic work that serves as a meditation on creative ambition and what it means to create, ending in a chaotic, precision-driven jam that once again showcases the band’s technical ability.
While Winter’s raspy vocals and deeply poetic lyricism often take the spotlight, it’s the drummer, Max Bassin, who drives much of the record, his playing consistently shaping the album’s momentum. As well as this, Dominic DiGesu’s bass and Emily Green’s lead guitar provide a steady backbone, each consistently breaking through with their own moments of brilliance throughout the record.
Overall, Getting Killed continues Geese’s streak of impressive releases. It’s a must-listen for contemporary rock fans, and while it’s mellower than their prior releases, it remains a rewarding experience for those familiar with the band’s evolving sound. For those curious but short on time, ‘Taxes’, ‘Cobra’, and ‘Getting Killed’ make an excellent showcase of the album’s range.
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