Album Review: My New Band Believe - "My New Band Believe"
My New Band Believe, the debut solo project from black midi's Cameron Picton, is packed with folksy, experimental and psychedelic wonder. It's dramatic, fiery, and gorgeous.
There was no other band like black midi. The UK trio combined elements of prog, noise, jazz, and post punk into a whipped up frenzy throughout three excellent studio albums. In 2024, the group went on infinite hiatus, resulting in the trio going their separate ways. Drummer Morgan Simpson works in sessions for artists like Little Simz and Nala Sinephro and Geordie Greep released a solid solo effort back in 2024. Now it's Cameron Picton's turn. The singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist released solo material in the form of mixtapes (as Camera Picture) and eventually collaborated with the band Caroline, who are also known in the Windmill music scene along with black midi. This results in the project known as My New Band Believe and they released their debut self-titled album earlier this year. As confusing and ambiguous of a title as My New Band Believe is... the project does sound as if it's shrouded with intrigue and mystery. What is essentially a solo album by Picton with the help from members of Caroline, the band sounds fully fleshed out and aren't afraid to take risks or try something new.
At eight songs in total and short of forty minutes in runtime, My New Band Believe is packed with folksy, experimental and psychedelic wonder. In contrast with Greep's solo project The New Sound, Picton's is much more patient, acoustic, and dreamy. If you're familiar with the dual sides of black midi, the acoustic folk vs. the chaotic jazz fusion rock, then this should come as no surprise. The songs stretch, morph, and go down surprising avenues where you least expect them to. "In the Blink of an Eye" flies into a mystical freak folk jam that's reminiscent of older Grizzly Bear material with stark strings. "Love Story" (not to be confused with the Taylor Swift standard of the same name, or the black midi cover of it) is a gorgeous acoustic number that starts out being a romantic story that ends in a somber note. "Heart of Darkness" is a sprawling eight minute piece that sounds like being lost in the woods at night, where the acoustic strumming and percussion goes all over the place. It does surprisingly drive into a smooth, acoustic pop territory and it's absolutely lush to hear Picton's falsetto vocals along with some backing choir vocals. "Pearls" is a brooding and dramatic number with over the top orchestration that really takes you.
"Opposite Teacher" is a peppier acoustic tune that has some of the best vocal moments from Picton and the heights the instrumentation reaches are remarkable to hear. "Actress" is another eight minute monster that's absolutely stunning. It does have the best progressions and performances on the entire album, where the full band really comes together in impressive ways. There's noisy saxophone, blazing acoustic strumming, choir vocals, and much more. "One Night" closes the album with an abruptly quick acoustic ballad that sounds resentful and sour. My New Band Believe is full of twists and turns and is a remarkable, beautiful, and thrilling debut from Picton. It's one of the most stunning acoustic endeavors you'll hear in 2026 and as a collaborative effort, it's very commendable. It's dramatic, fiery, and gorgeous. I'm still saddened by the break-up of black midi (I can't help it) but at least we're getting well rounded, personable projects from its two leading members which are equally awe inspiring as they are thrilling.
My Rating: 8 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Love Story," "Heart of Darkness," "Actress," "In the Blink of an Eye"
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