Rather than stagnating, basking in global acclaim garnered from three previous albums –Devil Is Fine [2017], Stranger Fruit [2018] and Zeal & Ardor [2022] – Manuel opted to shake things up for GREIF. Instead of creatively flying solo again, this time he welcomed his bandmates into the studio, featuring three voices for the first time and emboldening the sound from every angle.
As such, the musicians – Tiziano Volante [guitar], Marc Obrist [vocals], Denis Wagner [vocals], Lukas Kurmann [bass], and Marco Von Allmen [drums] – spread their wings alongside him. Decamping to Marc’s studio Hutch Sounds in Switzerland, the record came to life in just five months.
“We’ve really evolved into a tight-knit unit,” explains Marc. “Before Zeal & Ardor, we were basically strangers, but we’re like a little family now. Each member brings his own unique flavour to the mix, and we all try to make Manuel’s songs better in our own way. The most interesting part for me was the new approach of how we work together in the studio.”
“I wanted to expand upon what we had and introduce new colours,” Manuel continues. “There are angry and accusatory moments, but there’s also some solace and happiness. I’m widening the palette of colours we have to paint with. These are avenues we haven’t tried.”
Track-listing for the album is as follows;
the Bird, the Lion, and the Wildkin
Fend You Off
Kilonova
are you the only one now?
Go home my friend
Clawing out
Disease
369
Thrill
une ville vide
Sugarcoat
Solace
Hide in Shade
to my ilk
Check out the new track/video below.