"Many feelings can, and will, be felt while listening to this record. But at the same time, Grayscale provides a safe space for fans to feel these feelings as deep as they wish to while having the band by their side."
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Awesome
By Bruna Cucolo
Recommended songs: “Motown,” “Live Again” and “King of Everything”
It’s been two years since they’ve put out an album, but Philadelphia-based alt-rock band Grayscale is soon to release their third full-length record, Umbra, on Friday, August 27 via Fearless Records.
This may be a rather unexpected album in terms of sound as they grow together musically and find who they are as a band. With their previous two albums, Nella Vita and Adornment, they had more of a pop-punk edge to them while this one contains components of more upbeat “I-want-to-dance-to-this” feelings. Consisting of 11 songs, Umbra delivers new instrumental dynamics that fans will definitely appreciate.
Opening the album is a song featuring a fun beginning that sounds like an old radio, and it’s titled “Without You.” It will have those listening wondering what this album will sound like, and when the main beat comes through speakers or headphones seconds later, they may feel the need to begin bobbing their head and think to themselves, “All right, let’s see where this goes.” Lead singer Collin Walsh’s vocals are then heard, and fans recognize his familiar smoothness in his voice, the final piece that truly introduces the album.
Up next is “Dirty Bombs,” one of the first singles off the record. This one has more of a rock vibe to it as Andrew Kyne plays his guitar at the start which can be seen in the music video. About individuality and finding oneself, this song is one that many people can relate to. It can be heard as being a bit dark, but sometimes that darkness is what helps guide someone to finding who they are.
After skipping a couple of songs, what sounds like a synthesizer is played, introducing the more laidback, yet still upbeat enough to move around to, “Over Now.” The chorus’ lyrics “Hoping you come around, come around, come around, but it’s over now” can represent wanting someone to come back after losing them, but the relationship, for example, is now over, so there’s no going back — this can bring certain feelings to listeners who may have stepped away from someone but still needs their love.
Umbra also includes a tremendously meaningful song, “Live Again,” as track seven, an emotional song filled with lyrics about Walsh’s father and the dark time that Walsh went through. As what might be the most emotional song off the record, Grayscale does a wonderful job at portraying its message through heartfelt lyrics and being musically gentle but with a base of the alt-rock genre.
Closing out the album is “Light” with an intro that is different than the other 10 songs. Walsh’s vocals are softer in this one with emotion being evident in his voice. He uses a cigarette and nicotine as metaphors to describe someone still lingering within and it’s done so brilliantly. This shorter song ends on a lower note, a kind of “farewell, but we’re still here” tone, inviting listeners to restart the album.
Many feelings can, and will, be felt while listening to this record. But at the same time, Grayscale provides a safe space for fans to feel these feelings as deep as they wish to while having the band by their side. When it comes to the instrumentals of the 11 songs, overall, there’s sometimes a sense of a pop side to them, but at the same time they possess that alt-rock beat, especially with their talented drummer, Nick Veno, keeping that beat and rhythm. Familiarity among the songs gives Umbra a specific tone to it with the band’s growth, and fans can determine what that tone is as each of them relates to the record in their own way.
