Greet The Chief continues to showcase the energetic and ambitious nature of his hybrid indie rock sound on new EP Same Planet Different Worlds
Melding the propulsive energy of punk, the sleazy swagger of indie rock, and the hard-hitting urgency of alternative rock, Gavin Davies’ solo project Greet The Chief has quickly grown known for the no-frills, dynamic cutting edge of its sounds and the unique and compelling way that he ties the different genres and styles together. The new EP Same Planet Different Worlds is the artist’s most cohesive and focussed release to date, and one that is packed full of reasons to dive headfirst into the project.
The EP immediately puts its most chaotic foot forward in the form of ‘Back For More’, a track that is driven forward by towering guitars and a raucous intensity that never, ever relents throughout its duration. The track builds and builds until it has nowhere left to go, with the matter-of-fact nature of the production and vocals giving it a real feeling of authenticity and personality throughout.
There is more of an indie sleaze feel to the stylish ‘Hit The Ground Running’, a track that is packed full of smart riffs and more melodic tendencies than its predecessor, while still feeling like it could compel a room of sweaty strangers to start pushing each other around with reckless abandon, the guitars once again feeling like they are running the show.
The pounding drums of ‘Up To The Light’ punctuate a track that is packed full of punk-edged bile and attitude, offering a murkier and darker side to the artist’s sound, with a narrative promises to expose people for who they truly are and show their ugliness to the world against a backdrop that feels increasingly atmospheric and gritty.
The album’s most melodic and soaring moment comes in the form of ‘Rolling Bones’, a track that has more jangly guitars and playful melodies than the bulk of the work while maintaining the heart and guile at the core of Greet the Chief’s sound that makes it feel his own. Somewhere towards the end the track meanders off into a barrage of riffs and slick guitar passages, and it makes for an engrossing journey that pulls you along for the ride every step of the way.
‘More To Life’ explores the relatable theme of feeling disillusioned and tired in a relationship that has you questioning if this is what your life has come to. There is a really resonating and hard-hitting feel to the vivid lyrics and the way that they are delivered, and the straight-laced and raw feel of the sound only amplifies the words and makes them feel all the more cutting, especially as it strips back for a more subdued finish.
The most ambitious track on the album comes right at the end in the form of ‘Fire Water’, a shapeshifter of a track that melds the artist’s signature grit with a glorious melodic appeal that feels both expansive and radio-ready all at once. The unexpected addition of the brass gives the track a real feeling of grandeur that elevates it and expands on the themes of feeling fired up and more alive than ever, and it makes for a truly rousing and inspired way to close out the EP.
At its core, Same Planet Different Worlds feels like what modern rock and roll is supposed to be, packed full of ambition and creativity without having to resort to bells and whistles and distractions to feel exciting. The tracks are guided by their infectious energy and the personality of Gavin Davies, and they broach a wide range of styles and ideas without sacrificing the authenticity and rawness that makes them feel so vital and visceral.
