Geese - Getting Killed (2025), 5/10

Geese show major signs of stylistic, sonic, and songwriting progression with Getting Killed over 3D Country, though still inhibited by their general (but not absolute) choice of meekness over their collective gifts for experimentation. When they commit to the depth of their new sound, however, the production and attention to detail in each performance shine vividly. “Trinidad” is quite the electric start, a good example of each band member contributing considerably to the energy of a fully formed and wonderfully executed song. “Cobra” creates an unfortunate precedent, followed by most of the second half of the record: a misplaced warmth that betrays the sensibilities of an otherwise worthwhile indie rock project. Still, “Cobra” is followed by an oddly successful track despite its stylistic weakness. “Husbands” shows the combined WinterGreen in full effect, a circumventing of the existing trend. The ethos of side B is exemplified in “Au pays du cocaine”, a soulless track that advertises profundity but lacks nerve. This is equally true for “Taxes”, particularly when the album leans so deliberately into Cameron Winter’s vocal tone and charisma. Many of these same gripes can be applied to his solo project Heavy Metal. Essentially, when the band’s sound is given space to flourish, Geese excel and create some tremendous songs that will endure beyond the record’s time, but when they are muffled behind half-baked ballads these songs decay and eventually converge into a disappointing second half of the record. Still, the explosive intro to Getting Killed is worth listening to, many times over.