Geese’s third studio album feels like getting killed but surviving.

By Alvar Ekeus

Getting Killed is New York based Geese’s third studio album. Following their successful sophomore album 3D Country, the quintet lead by Cameron Winter drags the listener into a new tornado of hope and despair. “People think I’ve gone crazy,” Winter mentioned to the Guardian this year following his solo album Heavy Metal (2024). I believe it is more severe than this, Winter could perhaps be entering rock stardom.

45 minutes long and 11 tracks, Getting Killed covers everything. Varied and fanatical imagery that can at times be hard to understand, is paired with melodies that bring these songs to life. This has become characteristic to Geese and Winter, psychedelic in nature while still dealing with common hardships, ultimately giving a reason to stay positive in the 2020’s.

The tracks vary from the opening ‘Trinidad’, an intense introduction, which has Winter constantly howling “There’s a bomb in my car!” (what he means by this I am still unsure of, but it feels completely appropriate) to the groovy ‘Au Pays du Cocaine’.  What follows through all the songs are innovative guitar riffs by guitarist Emily Green, a masterful vocal range by Winter, and abrupt song endings. This last part may be considered a negative, but I believe it works well in the context of Getting Killed. The tumultuous years of the 2020’s have not been smooth successions, and neither are the topics explored on Getting Killed.

The first single released, ‘Taxes’, which was performed on Jimmy Kimmel just this week, holds a simple message: shame on taxes. While the message might be straightforward, it is bathed in biblical terms and more specifically referring to Jesus Christ. “I should burn in Hell. But I don’t deserve this.” “If you want me to pay my taxes you’d better come over with a crucifix, you’re gonna have to nail me down”. Yet Winter continuously portrays himself as a sinful person. Throughout the whole album we hear about his weakness and despair, but this is contrasted by a want to break out of his hardships, to avoid taxes, to smile, and to get free by getting killed.

“Im getting killed by a pretty good life”

“I have been fucking destroyed by the city tonight”

 The second single (and one of the most powerful songs on the album) ‘100 Horses’ deals with our war-torn situation. Written to “All people,” it reminds us of the importance of smiling and dancing. “There is only dance music in times of war” from ‘100 Horses’ is a beautiful phrase, but feels quite hopeless. Whether Winter is referring to staying ignorant or positive is hard to know, but it is a thought-provoking lyric that forces the listener to reflect on their position. He however finishes by mentioning that “We have danced for far too long,” it is time for change.

What also makes Getting Killed so sonically interesting, is the use of various backing vocals. It has been pointed out to me that a Ukrainian choir sample is what provides the backing vocals for the title track, mixing in with Winter’s despair. This is an album for everyone, covering everything, and dying in the process of listening is recommended and useful.