In what appears like a tribute to the rock n’ roll gods of yesteryear, Greye dishes out a tough vocal concord in “Down Not Out,” their newest single, that’s retro and but not so just like previous works as to make the track dismissible by audiences as too old-school for modern tastes. “Down Not Out” is all about its devilish melodies and sweeping rock hook, and amongst all the tracks that I’ve heard this band document to this point, it strikes me as being one of many extra reserved in type. This could be a brand new lineup, however longtime followers needn’t fret – that is nonetheless the Greye and love.

The guitar elements on this track redeem something that the extra radio-ready factors within the refrain would possibly probably have taken away from the track as a complete, and I feel that the tonality of the riffing alone makes this a worthwhile hear for southern rockers specifically. This association is confirmed exhausting rock, however there’s not numerous machismo to the instrumental melodies right here. Beneath the excessive polish on the prime of the combination is a guttural jam that would have been rather more thrilling had been it allowed to spill out of the stereo with just a bit extra ease.

I wasn’t completely positive what my general take could be on “Down Not Out” till I performed it on the correct quantity, which is required when analyzing a chunk like this one. The narrative is theatrical and compelling by itself, however it isn’t absorbed in your blood until you’re appreciating the carnage of the band when there’s nothing to hide their would possibly.  This group likes to go exhausting, and whereas this isn’t a dwell minimize, it has all of the depth of 1 for positive.

My intestine tells me that, even amidst its most animated moments on this rendition, “Down Not Out” would most likely sound lots higher in a live performance, the place Greye might manipulate right into a freeform juggernaut unbound by any of the constraints created on this setting. This band has a robust jam power to their sound, and till I’ve seen them on stage for myself, I can’t assist however marvel how a lot of their depth is getting filtered out of the combination in these studio recordings. They’ve bought the brawn to make even heavier music than they already are, and I’d love to listen to them push their type extra dwell.

“Down Not Out” isn’t the primary batch of scorching riffs that Greye has launched since first garnering the eye of the music media, however it’s nonetheless among the many extra noteworthy tracks that I’ve encountered in the previous few months. Followers of southern and exhausting rock must resolve for themselves how a lot justice it does for his or her sound, but when it’s a pattern providing of what’s to return subsequent for this group sooner or later, I’m assured that they’re going to proceed to achieve momentum in sure circles as 2023 turns to 2024. I’ll be following their story, and I doubt I shall be alone.

Mindy McCall