Cameron Picton, formerly of the acclaimed British art-rockers Black Midi, unveils his charming debut album with My New Band Believe. Moving away from the frenetic, intricate soundscapes of his previous outfit, Picton embraces an entirely acoustic approach, crafting a collection of truly captivating and elegant songs.
The album brings to mind ‘Still,’ a track nestled within Black Midi’s complex rock opera, *Hellfire*. While *Hellfire* was a whirlwind of theatricality, nonsensical plots involving exploding actors and peculiar army recruits, and Black Midi’s signature maximalist chaos – a barrage of scrabbly riffs, jagged chords, free jazz, noise bursts, and Beefheartian rhythms – ‘Still’ stood apart. It was a subtly glowing acoustic piece, infused with hints of country and pastoral Canterbury prog, notably sung by Picton himself rather than frontman Geordie Greep’s diverse vocal personas. Picton’s understated, sincere vocal style offered a stark contrast to the surrounding pandemonium.
This new endeavor, My New Band Believe’s self-titled debut, feels like a natural evolution from that quiet moment. Recorded alongside a cadre of experimental and improvisational musicians, including veteran drummer Steve Noble of the 80s post-punk band Rip Rig + Panic, the album significantly diverges from the familiar Black Midi sonic blueprint. In contrast, bandmate Geordie Greep’s 2024 solo release, *The New Sound*, largely continued Black Midi’s genre-hopping extravagance, replete with sudden shifts from samba to heavy riffing and Zappa-esque jazz-rock. Picton, however, uses *Believe* to explore the gentle, expansive territory first hinted at by ‘Still,’ allowing beautiful, thoughtful musical concepts to flourish in a more intimate setting.