RADIOGEIST: 9 ALBUM REVIEW

Radiogeist has returned with their second full-length album '9', successfully hitting the 'Top 40 UK Official Rock & Metal Charts' in May at number 32, after its April release. The German/UK band formed in

2022 and have been unleashing their modern heavy rock/European influences/Grunge fusion since. With nine tracks we have a lot to cover so let's get into the deep dive, and I think I am going to change up how I would normally do this by starting it off by doing a quick overview of the vocals. George has a powerful "classic rock" voice with a beautiful grit to it and a subtle use of distortion that is employed strategically throughout the album. It is very evident with the layering of vocals and overall performance that he takes a lot of care in his choice of phrasing and techniques that will be used at any given moment. While I understand that auto-tune etc. will always be a thing in recording, however, there are some things that

cannot be faked, and the vocals on this album show it with how they flow and create a story.

'9' opens with the energetic and romantic track 'Wide Awake'. I lay here wide awake, Miss you make no mistake, You have everything that I need, You′re my prescription you're my remedy, And I am medically dependant, On all your potions and your trust in me. Fall into the pining energy of someone who is longing for their absent lover. If you need an anthem for

when your beloved is away or you are reminiscing over someone who is no longer attached to you and living rent free in your head, 'Wide Awake' is it. The rolling drums throughout this track almost give the impression of a quickly beating heart, while the vocal and guitar slides give the feeling of falling into the spiral of loss and yearning. I wish that you were here next to me, To feel your touch that sets me free, Feels like tonight is never going to end, I need to see the dawn smile again, Why can't I fall asleep, Rest is all I need.

We are getting worried, We are feeling sorry, We are falling slowly, We are telling stories, I'm not the only one who's outta time, No doubt about it, But I know I'm going to make it through. 'Gonna Make It Through' gives the energy of Sum 41 meets Audioslave, with high energy punk undertones shifting in and out into smooth classic rock and a bonus guitar solo. While there is not a huge amount happening within the lyrics of the track, the music and vocal performance will have you bopping along without restraint. 'Gonna Make It Through' is an easy listening rock experience. Start now making it through, Start now because it's time, Start making it through, Start making it.

Fake smiles everywhere, False intentions cover up despair, "Reaching out?" More like selling doubt, Fake dreams is what it's all about, We can do it on our own, We can do it. Next track up is 'Devil's in White' which provides the most beautiful subtle use of vocal fry. The beginning of this track feels almost like a pair of politicians shaking hands in front of photographers, before being interrupted by someone and the whole tone changes. I know that is weird imagery but the first few seconds feels like the performative connection that the scene exudes. It shifts towards a defiant stance of someone who has peeked behind the veil and understands the hypocrisy and has chosen to stand on their own two feet. I am not sure if this is supposed to be a social commentary on the music industry, but that is how I took it. Devil's wearing white, Nothing to hide, Lying through her teeth in vein, Feed the demon again, We can do it on our own, We can do it.

Would you like me to, Use your words in this song, Dedicate it to somebody important in your life, Someone that you love, Or really really like, To get noticed. "All U Need Is U" starts off with great energy, and cymbal work before shifting to something a little "darker" for want of a better word. I do have to say after listening to the track a good five times I did find the vocal pattern a little disjointed in the opening verse and pulled me out of the songs flow until the chorus hits and then it locks in and stays that way for the remainder of the song. In my opinion Julio steals the stage in All U Need Is U, with his drum fills and clean drumming pulling to the forefront. Would you like me to show you how to do it, Oh Yeah, Follow me and show me there is nothing to it, All you need is yourself, Yourself, All you'll ever need is yourself.

You're a prophet self declared, You're a mentor self aware, Wondering if you know what it's like, To always see your underwhelming light shine down on me. 'Your Light' has us at the half way point for the album. While I would have liked to see Radiogeist match the lyrics with something grittier and/or sarcastic, the piece of music behind the lyrics is pleasing with chunky bass, tinkling cymbal work and a particularly fun guitar line at 44 seconds that hits the ear in an interesting way it will have you swaying non-the-less. Words laced with emptiness, Wonder if you know what it's like, To always see your underwhelming light shine down on me.

Heard a noise this morning, It was early, I looked out of my window, And what I saw made me very happy, So let me tell you what I saw. 'Change Is Coming' is an apt title for this song as the music style changes to something I can only describe as country punk, and I am definitely not mad about it. There are so many interesting sounds happening throughout this song that I found myself doing a "stank face" a few times.

Unpopular opinion, I know, but I am not normally a fan of guitar solos but the one in 'Change Is Coming' definitely got me. The track from beginning to end is honestly just a fun protest song and I was hooked from start to finish. It exudes glee at the evidence of change and I was entirely drawn in. There are a few moments throughout the track where George talks and that does an excellent job of pulling you further into the story, humanising the character to another level. We are here to stay, We will not obey, Pushed down by the, Honoured few but not today, We won't run away, We'll stand up and say, Change is coming.

Hey yeah we are here to stay, If you think you can remove us, Well you better think again, If you think that we're gonna lose this, Well you better think again. 'Here To Stay' hits like a protesting crowd, with layered vocals giving the impression of a rowdy group standing up for what they believe in. The track also has not-so-subtle tones of aggression in the guitar and drums, reinforcing the challenging energy of the lyrics. If you want a song about defiance that will get you amped up and excited, this is the one for you. 'Here To Stay' showcases more of the "Euro-influence" descriptor than any other song up to this point and the way it is brought into the track, adds to the overall "volume" and heightened energy of the song. Hey yeah we are here to stay, If you think we cannot prove it, Well you better think again, Well If you think that you can exclude us, Well you better think again, Look at me and see it going down.

Well I am so lucky, To be able to say, All these words out loud, But I still need to find rhyme, Trying to stop my thinking, Cos it's unfulfilling, feels a lot like losing, So I'll draw the line and say, Why am I so good at losing, Everyone else keeps winning. 'Why Am I so Good' is the mental health anthem of '9'. It talks about the themes of depression and feeling out of control of your life and the inward and downward spiral that happens from that. Musically you can feel the anxiety, sadness and frustration and it pushes the narrative forward, the added keyboard lifting the song to another level. This song sits heavy on the chest as you are taken through the discourse of being placed on medication and that turning into a chemical dependency, compared to the help it was intended to be. I will talk until my dying day about how much I love alternative music for its ability to hold space and highlight difficult topics that are normally suppressed and shunned. Why am I so good at losing, Everyone else keeps on winning, Why are you still here, Confusing me with your love, With your love.

You will never ever be free, Till you realise, You are not the best at anything, You ever tried, I wish someone had explained to me, Now I finally get it, Never too late to see. The final track for '9' takes place in the form of 'Take a Little Time'. If Red Hot Chilli Pepper style rock, reggae and saxophone jazz had a baby, you would get this song. It is an interesting combination and was definitely a welcome surprise. There are so many exciting aspects to this song that I genuinely don't know how to put it into words, as it takes so many twists and turns that it feels like an injustice to try and describe it in such a short space. The variety and level of techniques used in this song, both musically and vocally, can only be described as a progressive rock song, pushing musical boundaries and feels somewhat of a celebration for the conclusion of the album. Take a little longer to think, Take a little time to blink, Have a break let it sink in.

You can find Radiogeist on: Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and X

For Fans Of: Audioslave, System of a down, Three Days Grace and Red Hot Chilli Peppers

My Favourite Song: Change Is Coming

7.75/10