North Yorkshire multi-instrumentalist Greg Genre embraces experimentation on ‘Infinity To One’, an ambitious record that fuses alternative indie, shoegaze, psychedelic rock, electronica and ambient soundscapes. Moving away from his earlier acoustic singer-songwriter material, Genre ventures into more electric territory, weaving together catchy guitar riffs, looping synths, programmed rhythms and field recordings of wildlife.
Opening track ‘Dose of Happiness’ establishes the album’s intentions with an inviting burst of energy. A dawn chorus recorded in Genre’s own garden provides a natural introduction before bright electric guitar riffs take centre stage. It is a charming moment that captures the record’s central appeal: an attempt to bring the restorative qualities of nature into an alternative indie framework.
Elsewhere, however, ‘Infinity To One’ can struggle to find its footing. Greg moves rapidly between sprawling sonic textures, electronic loops, birdsong and environmental recordings, including rainforest ambience captured during a trip to Costa Rica. While these elements reflect a genuine fascination with the relationship between music and the natural world, their integration sometimes feels more haphazard than harmonious. Rather than consistently developing into a unified whole, the album can resemble a collection of disparate ideas competing for attention.
The vocals occasionally add to this sense of disorientation. At points, they stray out of tune, cutting through the dense, atmospheric production with a rawness that feels at odds with the surrounding arrangements. There is an argument for embracing imperfection, particularly on a record so concerned with the unpredictable nature of existence, but these moments do not always feel like deliberate artistic choices. Greater restraint and a more considered approach to the sequencing and arrangement might have helped the album’s strongest ideas resonate more effectively.
Nevertheless, there is plenty to admire in Genre’s willingness to follow his creative instincts. Recorded and produced by Isaac McInnus at Crooked Room Studios in York, with long-time collaborators John Atkinson on bass and Simon James-Coleman on drums, the album is at its best when its rhythmic energy takes hold. The interplay between electric instrumentation and electronic textures gives the music a sense of movement, while the field recordings lend it a distinctive identity.
Beneath the sonic experimentation lies a thoughtful exploration of mortality, love, anxiety, hope and the extraordinary circumstances that shape an individual life. Inspired in part by his grandfather’s survival of two land mines during the Second World War, the album’s title reflects the countless events that culminate in one person’s existence. This sense of wonder lends emotional weight to an otherwise restless collection.
Ultimately, ‘Infinity To One’ is an uneven but earnest artistic statement. Its lack of cohesive focus occasionally obscures its considerable charm, yet Genre’s ambition, curiosity and positive outlook remain infectious. For listeners willing to embrace its rough edges and unpredictable detours, this is a distinctive journey with a genuinely uplifting heart.
You can listen to ‘Infinity to One’ now on all major streaming platforms.
