The Grand Undoing -- the Boston-based collective of rotating musicians led by vocalist, bassist, guitarist and songwriter Seth Goodman -- has a knack for releasing records at pivotal moments in time. In a Vigil State dropped in May 2020 in the middle of the pandemic, and now its follow-up, Songs for the Sleeping, arrives during what sometimes feels like the beginning of the end of days. But fear not! There’s nothing tired about these nine tracks rooted in innovative progressive-pop powered by uplifting melodies paired with unguarded and often dark lyrics and hooks galore. Then there are the sonic surprises Goodman slips in: the Spaghetti Western guitar twang that punctuates "The Knowing," the Fifties-style harmonies on “Black Rivers," the xylophone on “Aventurine” and the fuzzy guitar that launches after Goodman delivers the half-spoken/half-sung first verse and sing-along chorus of “The Creature."
But here’s the thing: None of this feels over the top or cliché. Not even Goodman’s voice, which is uncannily similar to David Bowie's in the Eighties but still comes off as fresh and authentic. Goodman and rest of The Grand Undoing sound like they had a blast making this record. And if they didn’t, the listening experience still is one to cherish. Songs for the Sleeping is an early contender for my top-five-abums-of-2026 list, and I will be listening to this one for a long time -- riding out the impending apocalypse while Songs for the Sleeping keeps me wide awake.
Track Listing:
1. Sing a New Morning
2. I’m Being Called
3. Creature
4. The Knowing
5. Black Rivers
6. The Sun is Stranger
7. Aventurine
8. Savior
9. Now I’m Going Home
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