Album Review: Geese - "Getting Killed"

Like its predecessor, many of the moments on Geese's Getting Killed are instantly mind blowing, jaw dropping, and beyond impressive. It's such a stunning record from such a young band that I have to remind myself that the band members are barely past the legal drinking age. Getting Killed is arguably this year's best album, regardless of genre.

Partisan - 2025

Geese, not to be confused with the Connecticut jam band Goose, are a NY-based band of young musicians who've been the most buzzed about band in recent months and for good reason. They make quirky, noisy blends of blues rock, folk, indie, psychedelia, post punk, and classic rock and with Cameron Winter's trademark yelps, hums, and wailing lead vocals, this band a tour de force. They produced one of my favorite albums of 2023 and of the decade so far, 3D Country, an album that flips classic rock and post punk on its head and includes everything but the kitchen sink. The album is immensely impressive, full of creativity, is a solidifying and cementing follow up to their debut, and is a sophomore effort that boldly sees the band going into a unique direction, where you can clearly pick out the band from the current slate of their many contemporaries. Geese were already buzzy at that time but have only gotten more notoriety and praise, in part to Cameron Winter's debut solo album that was released on the tail end of 2024, Heavy Metal, a stunning album that highlights his songwriting and singing abilities even more in a sparse, naked, and vulnerable setting that's equally beautiful as it is haunting. Heavy Metal quickly blew up in surprising ways, where many who've praised and celebrated it were exposed to this album seemingly out of nowhere. With the buildup of a new Geese album, the momentum was only get bigger and bigger.

Which leads us to the new, third Geese album, titled Getting Killed. In many ways, Getting Killed is a smart and logical successor to both 3D Country and Heavy Metal, where the lead vocals are even more prominent and wild, the abrasiveness is turned up a notch, and the twists and turns in progression and style flourish. It builds on those albums' successes and capitalizes on what made them both great, while also being able to successfully stand on its own two feet without relying too heavy on its previous endeavors. Produced by famed hip hop producer Kenny Beats and the band themselves, the album is multi-dimensional and layered with plenty of detail. The songs performances are looser, more sporadic, and unpredictably wild, welcoming unadulterated chaos to the listener. The grooves, hooks, and melodies are asking to be repeated again and again through your headphones. Like its predecessor, many of the moments on Getting Killed are instantly mind blowing, jaw dropping, and beyond impressive. It's such a stunning record from such a young band that I have to remind myself that the band members are barely past the legal drinking age.

The album opens with the wild, dizzying "Trinidad," where the song sounds like it walks around feverishly and dangerously with a bombs strapped across its chest, just waiting to cause chaos. Winter screams, "THERE'S A BOMB IN MY CAR," over squelching horns and off the wall drumming. It's already one of the most infectiously crazy moments you'll hear on an album this year. "Cobra" is a lovely and heartfelt gem where Winter's singing and timeless guitar hooks could be radiating out of a radio from the golden era of the 60's or 70's. You can hear its melodies all day if you really wanted to. "Husbands" is a slow building, gorgeous tune, where Winter's remarkable vocal performance will leave an imprint on you. His ever morphing and changing vocals really make the song levitate with magic. The album's title track is one of the band's best and most intense moments, where its ferocious grooves and enchantingly unintelligible backing vocals sound as if they're leading the band into a raging war. And its switch-up towards the backing half? It's truly incredible. It's one you have to hear for yourself. "Islands of Men," arguably my favorite track, is a slow burning tune that I would describe as a weird yacht rock / post rock hybrid. It's hard to pin down and despite Winter's relentless repeating lines, its intense grooves are hard to deny. Its instrumental finish is so pretty it can leave a tear in your eye if no one's looking.

"100 Horses" is the more straightforward, raging blues rock that refuses to slow down. It's the album's most certified rocker and it lays its guitars hard. It's very catchy and fun and it's growing on me with each listen. "Half Real" is a traditional ballad with some quirky guitar rattling and its another emotionally stunning track. I love the song's last line, "they may say that our love was only half real / but that's only half true." "Au Pays du Cocaine" is a gem that sounds like some of the more stunning ballads from Heavy Metal and I particularly love Winter's vocal melodies on this one, as well as the sweetly strung guitar. "Bow Down" another favorite of mine, is a rapid fire, intense song full of lush grooves and impeccable drumming. Though brand new, "Taxes" is a timeless indie rock tune that definitely pulls from classic bands like The Rolling Stones. The full on unexpected switch up towards the back half is truly a marvel to listen to. "Long Island City Here I Come" is an epic six-and-a-half minute closer that builds and builds with intensity until it explodes with tight, razor sharp guitars and grooves. It does sound like a triumphant powder keg waiting impatiently to blow up.

As difficult as it is to follow up such an amazing record like 3D Country, Geese have pulled it off with Getting Killed. The album is chock full of gems, bangers, and songs that beg to be repeated again and again. The album itself has its own charms and personality while still undoubtedly being a Geese album. The performances are impeccable, the songs are stunning, and Winter's captivating voice is an enigma itself. The production and mixing is stellar and there's so much variety that any one of these songs can be your favorite on any given day. Do I love this one more than 3D Country? I'm not exactly sure. These two records are two different beasts, each one amazing in their own unique ways. In due time, maybe I can answer that question more easily. But as for now, Geese continue to grow and morph into a band who have their own path to go down, regardless of what anyone else is doing. They've put two of the best records of the decade and I feel like they're just getting started. Getting Killed is arguably this year's best album, regardless of genre. Sure, the band's unconventional, wilder approaches aren't for everyone, especially when you have a frontman like Cameron Winter. It's 110% worth the hype and Geese have proven that they're one of rock's best and most unique bands.

My Rating: 9 / 10

Favorite Songs: "Husbands," "Island of Men," "Getting Killed," "Bow Down," "Cobra," "Au Pays du Cocaine," "100 Horses"