Great Big Blue (2017)
When you press play on Geowulf’s Great Big Blue, you’re immediately transported somewhere warmer, where the sun shines brighter, and the breeze carries the scent of saltwater—or perhaps even a little chlorine. This record is a vacation you can take without getting frisked by TSA. With their signature dreamy, hypnotic sound, the Australian duo of Star Kendrick and Toma Banjanin deliver a debut that’s as shimmery as the ocean at golden hour—and just as good for your soul.
The album kicks off with Sunday, a perfect introduction to Geowulf’s style: hypnotic melodies, airy vocals, and a dreamy, almost otherworldly quality. The first lyrics of the whole record are, ‘Great Big Blue’ *roll credits!* It’s the kind of track that feels like someone wrapped up a slow Sunday morning and turned it into sound.
Then there’s Saltwater, a song that doesn’t just ask to be your summer anthem—it demands it. The riff is an earworm of the highest caliber, and the breezy, reverb-soaked production feels like it was crafted specifically for poolside playlists. If your body isn’t instinctively swaying by the second chorus, you might want to check your vibes. They might be poor, mate.
Get You continues the trend with warm, synthy textures that practically radiate sunshine and free-spirited percussion. Things heat up a bit with Greatest Fool, where the guitar steps in and decides to stop being polite and start carrying the track. The dynamic energy shifts effortlessly, and just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the guitar solo delivers a burst of anthemic energy.
Hideaway shifts the mood entirely. It’s wistful, intimate, and perfect for those moments when you need to stare at the horizon and reflect on past relationships—preferably while holding a drink with a little umbrella in it.
Only High takes a haunting turn, dropping into an ethereal soundscape that lets the vocals truly shine. This is the track that makes you think, Okay, Geowulf isn’t just good—they’re kind of brilliant. There’s a serious X-factor here with this duo.
The energy takes a sharp turn upward with Drink Too Much. The funky bassline sneaks up on you, and before long, you’re moving without realizing it. Let’s just say it’s appropriately titled—this is the kind of track that could easily lead to an extra glass of wine or two. It’s also a big sing-along moment for the record, perfect for a group grooving by the pool.
Don’t Talk About You brings back the sparkly, dreamy production that Geowulf does best. The guitar bends add a playful edge, and the melody is so catchy it might just live rent-free in your head for days. And then there’s Won’t Look Back. Where do we even start? This song is an emotional gut punch wrapped in angelic synths and busy basslines. The heart-wrenching lyrics hit hard, but the melodies are so gorgeous you don’t even mind. It’s the emotional centerpiece of the record. An absolute must-listen.
Summer Fling keeps the breezy vibes going, with percussion that feels both playful and precise. It’s percussively dynamic and fits perfectly with the album’s carefree energy. Then album closes with Work in Progress, a reminder that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful. It’s reflective without being heavy, leaving you feeling like Geowulf knows exactly how to end things on a high note.
Great Big Blue is an invitation to escape. Whether you’re chasing the summer sun or just trying to survive another gray afternoon, this album offers a shimmering getaway you’ll want to revisit again and again. Geowulf has mastered the art of effortless charm—a dreamy debut that’s as easy to love as it is to listen to.
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Highlight Songs:
Sunday
Saltwater
Drink Too Much
Won’t Look Back
Don’t Talk About You
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Own it, Stream it, or Forget about it?
Own it. Geowulf’s debut is a sun-soaked gem that perfectly encapsulates their dreamy indie-pop beginnings. It’s the kind of record you’ll want spinning on your turntable during endless summer days, year after year.
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Album Rating:
4 Stars
