Greg Freeman Releases Ambitious Double Album All Set the Bone

Greg Freeman, a singer-songwriter from Maryland, has released his third album, "All Set the Bone," a double album that marks a significant expansion in scale and ambition compared to his previous work. The album, described as "transgressive," presents a collection of songs that are less immediately appealing than his 2025 breakout album, "Burnover," but possess a nervy, kinetic energy. Freeman's voice often sounds strained, and his music, while ostensibly part of a growing indierock revival, avoids comfort, creating a sense of unease through frantic guitar and drum arrangements, as heard on tracks like "Marooned." The opener, "Cahokia," blends the catharsis of a road song with "proggy bedlam," reflecting the album's complex sonic landscape. Lyrically, Freeman delves into anxieties, posing questions about reliance and the loss of inspiration, such as "Who do you look to when you’re all on your own?" and "When all your heroes lost their microphones?" on the track "Culture."

Freeman gained recognition with "Burnover," an album characterized by taut story-songs that were witty, delirious, and devastating. His previous success stemmed from his ability to combine a literary songwriting style with loud, riff-heavy music that could resonate with mainstream rock audiences. "All Set the Bone" represents a considerable leap in ambition, featuring more imagistic and diffuse songwriting. This expansive approach results in an impressive, albeit less instantly accessible, record. Freeman reportedly wrote "All Set the Bone" while traveling across the United States, grappling with significant personal changes, a process that imbues the album with a palpable searching quality. While it may contain fewer overt "fireworks" than "Burnover," the album still showcases Freeman's distinctive talent and willingness to explore more complex themes and sounds. The album's scale and thematic depth invite listeners to engage with its intricate layers over multiple listens, distinguishing it from more conventional releases in the alt-country and indierock scenes. The double album format allows for a broader exploration of his evolving artistic vision, moving beyond the concise storytelling of his earlier work to embrace a more sprawling and introspective narrative. This shift suggests a maturing artist pushing the boundaries of his genre, aiming for a deeper artistic statement with "All Set the Bone."