Forget the fireworks — the biggest explosion on July 4th might’ve been the release of Spiral, the newest album from funky Nashville indie alt-rockers, Gears.
Through funky rhythmic beats, easy-going yet commanding vocals, and even jazzy twists and turns, Gears delivers a genre-bending opus like few others.
Originally started by Chandler Grammer and Christian Crew in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, while relocating to Music City, they recruited Andrew Rose and Jordan “Kid Brother” Kaye. The quartet’s chemistry is evident from the jump and throughout the whopping fifteen tracks, making the album an hour and three minutes of pure sonic adventure.
Spiral contains a range of different vibes throughout, keeping it lively and engaging for its listeners. Not only does it harness the classic indie rock feel primarily, but it also has alt grit and Frank Zappa-like funk n’ jazzy soul elements, which ties the album together for an epic and original listen, bouncing betwixt topics from the mundane to the grandiose.
One track that caught my attention was “I Was Just Dreaming” the second track from Spiral.
It delivers a blend of alternative and indie rock that perfectly captures the hypnotic haze of late-night reflection. Built around a moody bass line and textured echoing guitars, the song establishes an almost cinematic vibe that mirrors a state of pondering. Lyrically, listeners can hear the romantic illusion, regret, and blurry line between reality and yearning. It is touching on the relatable frustration of fleeting glimpses of someone from the past, or maybe someone who was never really there at all.
“The Usual,” another standout track from Spiral, differs from the dreamy ambiance of “I Was Just Dreaming” into a jazzier, loungier tune.
Driven by slightly distorted guitar riffs and punchy drum notes, the track tackles the exhaustion of repetitive routines, coping mechanisms, and the bittersweet feeling of being stuck in a loop. It captures the feeling of ordering “the usual” at a local spot just to feel normal or grounded. It is raw and stripped-down compared to the rest of the album.
Coming in as one of the most structurally dynamic tracks on Spiral, “What Do I Know” leans into a melancholy but vibrant mid-temp indie pop rock song. The foundation is rhythmic and clean guitar, and a steady drum. The song introduces touches of optimism here and there, but never for too long. Lyrically, “What Do I Know” is a self-deprecating anthem about not having all the right answers. The contrast between the lyricism and upbeat instrumentation creates a tension that peaks during the outro. The song is incredibly catchy.
“Closer to You,” an emotional and atmospheric anchor in the record, delivers with an intimate, slow-burn feeling. The track opens with a soft piano and layer of ambiance, creating a vulnerable space that slowly builds in intensity as an understated bass line enters. The song expresses the painful paradox of emotional distance, exploring the yearning desire to bridge a gap with someone while fearing the vulnerability it would require.
Gears is not your average Nashville band — far from it. One listen or live show experience tells you all you need to know. Speaking of, their album release show is Sunday July 19th at The Underdog.
