“Introspective” is a hypnotic debut album by an alternative rock band from Crete.
While dozens of strong earthquakes struck the famous island of Crete and another disaster hit Greece, after August wildfires, I am setting aside the daily sad news and pressing the play button from Green Was Greener’s first album. An immersive collection of nine atmospheric songs by Thomas Stratakis, a Heraklion-based multi-instrumentalist.
I am not sure if indirectly Cretan influences are inherited or are rather well hidden inside the adventurous compositions of the band, but for sure you won’t hear the famous Cretan instrument lauto (lute) here. Instead, you’ll find fragile art-rock and dream pop soundscapes, or even shoegaze stretches, marrying fuzzed-out guitars and vintage synthesizers.
For starters, you can check the lovely same-titled 8-minute song, “Introspective”, with its impressive b&w video clip, directed by Vassilis Liakos. A cinematic song with wonderful flow and captivating evolution. Or “Another Chance”, a catchy pop song for fans of The Doves or Tame Impala.
In conclusion, “Introspective” is an effort that maintains the quality of a really good first record without making obvious its influences, and as the editor-in-chief Mariusz Herma said, “it’s in English, but it’s mysterious, unpredictable, and simply well written.” Precisely.
Stream “Introspective” LP on Bandcamp, Spotify and Deezer.
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