GLEET’s 24 is a monumental concept album that ambitiously charts the cycle of a 24-hour day through experimental soundscapes and provocative storytelling. This project, helmed by Gregor Former and Sam Neal, marks a masterstroke in their decades-long collaboration. Drawing inspiration from David Bowie, Brian Eno, Joy Division, and the Dead Kennedys, the album undergoes a celestial and musical exploration of human life and the passage of time. Each of its 24 tracks aligns with an hour of the day and a corresponding key on the circle of fifths.
Opening with “Hour 00: Robust Portfolio,” the album sets a contemplative tone. Its serene synth layers, floating like water, conceal a biting critique of capitalism as the singer’s soaring, agonized voice underscores the hollow victories of wealth.
As the hours progress, the themes grow darker and more visceral. “Hour 03: The Road” stands out with its gritty distortion and urgent vocals. Here, GLEET delivers an emotional narrative of environmental devastation through the eyes of a displaced jungle cat.
Midway, “Hour 15: Mekong” shifts the focus to the impacts of industrialization, painting a haunting picture of the once-mighty river now tamed and exploited. Its anguished refrain, “Flow Mekong flow, death is not your destiny,” reverberates with despair and resilience.
By “Hour 19: B Grade Dystopia,” the album crescendos into a biting critique of modern technocapitalism. With buzzing distortion and enigmatic vocals, the track envisions a society trapped in servitude to corporate greed, hacking away at the roots of existence itself.
Finally, 24 closes with “Hour 23: Bacteria!” a triumphant yet humbling reflection on life’s interconnectedness. The energetic strumming riffs and drenched vocals serve as an ode to the microbial architects of existence, reminding listeners of humanity’s fleeting role in the grander narrative of Earth’s history.
Listen to the global meditation on existence, 24, by GLEET on Spotify.
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Review by: Naomi Joan
1 comment
This album is a worthwhile trip for the ears and mind.