Review: Some Nights by Brock Geiger
Photo Credit: Jen Schier
“Some nights can hardly wait and some nights are all the things I hate.” If that line strikes a chord, you’re not alone. It’s a sentiment that captures those moments we’ve all been through– nights filled with restless chaos or quiet introspection. This duality lies at the heart of Brock Geiger’s debut release, Some Nights. Earning his reputation as a versatile instrumentalist and sought-after collaborator, Brock Geiger steps into the spotlight as a solo artist, delivering a project that is as personal as it is ambitious.
Before Geiger left for POP Montreal back in October 2024, I chatted with him briefly about his single “Lemonade” where he opened up about how the pandemic sparked his transition into becoming a solo artist “Over the course of the pandemic when absolutely everything hit the brakes and I wasn't touring and being pulled a million directions, I suddenly had a lot of time to be intentional with what I wanted to create, he shared. “Writing and producing my own music during that time became a necessary outlet and a safe haven—and it continues to serve that purpose. While it can feel like treading water alone in a big, dark abyss sometimes, it’s also liberating to make decisions and chase down ideas just because I want to.”
Co-produced with longtime collaborator and GRAMMY award winner, Will Maclellan (Phoebe Bridgers, boygenius), Some Nights is a sonic wonderland. “Steps Taken” pushes listeners into developing a ‘main character, fuck you’ mentality. It serves as a reminder that even the most beautiful experiences can turn overwhelming if we aren’t mindful of our surroundings and ourselves. Layered between big room sounds, drumming from Matt Chamberlain (Pearl Jam, Fiona Apple Bob Dylan) which he tracked in two takes, and a climactic guitar solo that builds the track’s exploration of the tension between liberation and vulnerability. The title track, “Some Nights” creates a sound that’s both extremely nostalgic and refreshingly modern, as if genres were thrown onto a wall that coalesced into a tapestry. It seamlessly blends art-rock and electronic-pop, creating a dynamic yet layered sonic experience. The album goes left field with the track “After Later,” slowing the album’s pace as Geiger’s vocals shift into a soulful, crooning delivery furthering the sentimentality of this release. The production is minimal and features Sam Gendel’s hauntingly ethereal saxophone playing. Gendel is also featured on “Lemonade” an intimate and sultry track that continues building on Geiger’s meaningful and imagery-invoking lyricism.
I’ve always been drawn to the power of juxtaposition in music — tracks that make you want to dance with their infectiously production, yet hit hard with dark, emotionally charged lyrics. Geiger shares that he enjoys the same, “I like being able to juxtapose some of the darker lyric themes with visuals that are fun and colourful.” The interplay of juxtaposition within this release adds a layer of intrigue and mystery allowing the album to be sonically engaging but also emotionally resonant.
“I’m bored with being safe,” a line from “Lemonade” perfectly encapsulates the energy pulsing through this release, as Geiger’s songwriting ignites a fire in electric moments of intimacy. Some Nights stands as a testament to balancing raw vulnerability with daring creativity. By refusing to play it safe, Brock Geiger reaps the rewards of taking listeners on a captivating sonic journey that lingers far after the final note fades.
Catch Brock Geiger in Calgary, AB live at the Ship and Anchor Pub on April 2, 2025, with guests Ryan Bourne + Plant City to celebrate the release of Some Nights. Event info here.