Græ (studio album) by Moses Sumney

Moses has something really special and he’s insanely talented. I thoroughly enjoyed this album and its high points are true bliss. That being said I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as Aromanticism, it just wasn’t up to the same standard as his debut. I really hope it’s another case of a sophomore slump because I really believe he has the potential to be one of the greatest artists of this new decade. Græ is a bit too self indulgent for my taste, it has a running theme of understanding, loving, and exalting yourself which is great but it’s not executed properly and at time is a bit precocious. I’m not a fan of the amount of interlude tracks here he has the potential to make really memorable songs but I didn’t see that here. It’s a good album definitely, but it didn’t measure up to the high bar he set for himself with his debut.

Best songs: Cut Me, Conveyor, Polly, Me in 20 Years
7.5/10

From mdbaxter 03/17/2021 15:54

Clear display of a talent in an impressive but a bit unfocused project. The first part of the album is a bit formless for my liking but I found the second part very enjoyable. My mind draws comparisons to Jeff Buckley towards the end of the album. Too much interlude for me.

From Vatsal 12/14/2020 07:49

This is the only album since 2016 which, I would say, comes close to Frank Ocean's Blond in terms of.. Blond was so original, and it felt like such a once in a blue moon release that I didn't think I would get another album that sounded as unique. But Moses Sumney has actually made a spectacular album that is just as original in its own way and deserves to be explored with the same intensity.

I was a big fan of Aromanticism, and Grae is a very ambitious leap from that, but goddamn he stuck the landing.

From HoldenM 07/14/2020 21:40

It's a little overwhelming at first, but this is one that's gonna grow into a classic. We're not giving it nearly enough attention. It's a little fragmented at first glance, but the more time you spend with it, the clearer it becomes as a whole. Anyway, grae rules. I hope we all come to love it.

This album demands time and attention, but my goodness it rewards it. Some songs initially sound like aimless wailing and take time to reveal their melodies, but when they do they're absolutely gorgeous. Indeed the whole album is transcendent. The person who described it as sounding like Coldplay, possibly because Moses sings in a high register, needs to get his ears checked. Just ridiculous.

Seems to have a Chris Martin-esque need to be singing at all times. No space for the music to breathe. It comes across as a very self-indulgent project, not least by the sheer number of songs.

From ledaero 05/22/2020 05:58

Wow, this album is incredible. Moses Sumney has only proved again that he is at the forefront of innovation in music. His songs and production are truly mind-blowing. This album deserves all the hype.

Not an enjoyable listen for me. Lots of focus on the vocal gymnastics, which becomes a little tiresome.