It’s been quite a hectic few years for Greyhaven, having announced their signing to Solid State Records back in March 2024 and quickly after releasing their first project under the label Stereo Grief in April all while writing and recording their next record.
Keep it Quiet is the band’s most vulnerable project yet, as vocalist Brent Mills describes taking a different writing approach as not to hide behind abstract lyricism but rather lay it all out on the line.
The record starts off with Prelude Evening Star, which sets the listener up in an intimate but subdued fashion. Mills’ vocal delivery as he sings “I see the god in your bones; I buried them in the yard” feels almost claustrophic and shy overtop of bassist Johnny Muench’s optimistic intro lick. As track slowly builds, drummer Ethan Spray gently comes in shortly after along with some disturbing synths that adds a layer of discomfort before the track explodes into complete chaos.
Shortly after in the track list we have the explosive Show Me Where You Are, which sees the band channel their melodic side. The tune kicks off immediately with the chorus as Mills belts out “I will meet you in the sky”, make no mistake though the instrumental still maintains the intensity as guitarist Nick Spencer keeps the complexity going throughout the runtime.
In the middle point we get a palate cleanser with Technicolor Blues, which shows a different side of the band sonically. Mills explains that he had an acoustic demo that he never really found a use for up until now. The song, again, is a slow build tune only starting off with Mills vocals overtop of an acoustic guitar. At the halfway point of the song is when it erupts into a hard rock anthem as the vocal hook is introduced as Mills sings “I never wanted to be found; it takes a lot to take a look at me now”.
In the final moments of the record we have From the Backseat of a Moving Car, which quickly turned into one of my favourite moments on the album. The tune kicks off with the chorus hook “step under the veil and let me be your light again” sung gently from Mills before exploding only moments later into the chaotic first verse. I almost view the song as being two parts because in the last 30 seconds Mills breaks out into a groovy and completely new vocal hook as he sings “and I’ll do anything you want me to, wouldn’t ask to say to you” closing the track out with my favourite section on the record.
Keep it Quiet is a record that’s as honest as it is creatively rich. It sees the band peeling back the mask and exposing themselves to their audience like never before. Leaving listeners with an experience that’s authentic, raw and emotional as it is extremely fresh. As Mills explains “[the record] is totally open, but it’s Greyhaven being Greyhaven”. With that comes an album that may not only be their best album yet, but one of the best albums of 2025.
10/10
Keep It Quiet is available everywhere via Solid State Records.
