- The eponymous composer Gregor returns with his second release on Chapter Music, his debut album Silver Drop. Gregor is an independent recording artist in the most literal sense, writing and recording every element of his songs on his own. Silver Drop is evidence of much time alone, grinding the musical axe to a fine point and finding in it a sense of confidence and maturity. It’s a deeply romantic album, one that deals with such themes as first dates, emotional distance, self-doubt, obsession and physical intimacy.
Gregor flirts with clichés throughout, from the '80’s pop fetishism to the malaise of adult contemporary, but his songs are never quite subdued by these tropes. Instead, he convincingly elevates the familiar elements in service of his own original style of song synthesizing a deep affection disco, world music and funk rock in a way that’s reminiscent of the milieu of Talking Heads, Brian Eno and Arthur Russell.
I Look Devastated rides a pronounced synth brass and bass guitar led pop groove worthy of Whitney Houston or any other '80’s pop diva. Synth brass arises from all directions, offer uplifting melodies from all angles, all while underpinned by a wandering funk bass line and flourishes of percussive synthesizer modulations.
Revise Me is a spaciously ambitious eight-and-a-half-minute pop odyssey, that works out to great effect. Progressing from a longing open road of slide guitar and picked acoustic, among a distant array of synths and percussion. Vocals don’t enter the frame until almost three minutes in and eventually, the lead groove gives way to a dub reggae organ rhythm and minor key groove with muted percussion.
I’ll Prove It To You is a distinctly aimless groove without a fulfilling musical or lyrical payoff, that may have benefitted from more experimentation in another form. Bugs also struggles a little in this regard, but its sincere and thoughtful lyrical meditation and gently unfolding structure lands on it’s expanding outro of twinkling piano keys and emphasized groove.
Undoubtedly, the gentle craft of Gregor’s songwriting is most concisely demonstrated on the lead single A Song About Holding Hands. It’s focused and musically encompassing and offers sincere and gently introspective storytelling delivered with confidence and clarity. The combination of synth pads, smooth melodic bass line and synth percussion shows a sense for songwriting that can be totalizing and unified in its intent. Silver Drop is a solid record of pleasurable pop music, one that finds little contemporary comparison for it’s creative synthesis of different pop musical styles and sincere lyricism.
- Jaden Gallagher.