Gregory Douglass returns with ‘Bespoke’, and announces first studio album in a decade

Pianist, guitarist, and singer-songwriter Gregory Douglass is someone I often describe as one of music’s best-kept secrets. Higher Plain Music has been championing his music since discovering him with his 2009 album ‘Battler‘ (excuse the ill-formatted review from 17 years ago). Whilst there have been various singles since 2015, we haven’t been treated to a full album in a decade. That changes today, as Gregory Douglass formerly announces ‘AMATEUR’, his forthcoming eleventh album.

‘AMATEUR’ is a stripped-back album of piano, guitar, strings, and vocals, yet its lead single ‘Bespoke’ sounds opulent and cinematic with its limited instrumentation. In typical Gregory Douglass fashion, we have a delicate piano motif, a soulful vocal, and lyrics to chew on long after the final notes fade. Fans of Tori Amos will appreciate the emotional vulnerability and piano chops Gregory lays out for everyone to bathe in, whilst fans of old-school singer-songwriter rites of passage like Jeff Buckley will appreciate strong songwriting and instrumental craft without relying on production to smooth anything over. That said, the string arrangement is subtly brilliant, because it is rich without overpowering the intimate union of piano and voice. My favourite lyrics are “Words like pocket charms. Words used to harm the safety in your arms.” We’ve all been there. Self-sabotage or the right thing to do? Love is complicated…

Speaking about ‘Bespoke’, Gregory says:

“‘Bespoke’ traces the aftermath of a connection that blurred the line between intimacy and illusion. It’s a personal reflection of an emotionally complex relationship with someone who became both a muse and a mirror – the beauty, the heartbreak and the inevitable fate of it. It feels like an appropriate first single release for my new album AMATEUR because it anchors the album and is quite medicinal in ways I think people may really need right now.”

‘Bespoke’ is out now. For more information about AMATEUR, due for release on 13th November, and other projects, visit Gregory Douglass’ website. I’ve been a Patreon supporter of Gregory for many years now, and it is well worth supporting truly superb independent musicians and artists in a broken industry. If music were a meritocracy, Gregory Douglass would be living very comfortably as a revered musician. Until that happens, discover music’s best-kept secret and then go full chain mail and tell five other music lovers you know.

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