Today, the Canadian experimental outfit CG tears—the collaboration between Clinton St. John (The Cape May, Pale Air Singers, Florida BC), producer and multi-instrumentalist Morgan Greenwood (formerly of Azeda Booth), and acclaimed singer-songwriter, animator, and illustrator Chad VanGaalen—has released their self-titled debut album via Victory Pool Records.
The story behind CG tears is almost as interesting as the album itself.
What began as an idea between St. John and Greenwood back in 2013 took more than a decade to finally become a full-fledged musical project.
After reconnecting following 2020, the two began developing Greenwood’s electronic productions into songs, eventually bringing VanGaalen into the fold to help mix the album.
But VanGaalen wasn’t content to simply work behind the mixing desk.
After hearing the songs, he felt they needed more and became much more involved, contributing additional instrumentation, backing vocals, and arrangements. What started as a collaboration between two musicians ultimately became a trio.
The result is a wonderfully strange and dreamy collection of songs that feels like a weird, psychedelic version of The Postal Service.
CG tears blend experimental electronic production with dreamy pop and alternative rock, creating a sound that can be atmospheric and slightly unsettling while remaining surprisingly catchy.
There are skittering rhythms, echo-drenched synths, hazy textures, and psychedelic undercurrents throughout the album.
At the same time, the songs are held together by memorable hooks and St. John’s impressionistic vocals and lyrics.
It’s an unusual combination, but that’s exactly what makes the record so much fun to listen to.
I really enjoy how CG tears don’t sound like they’re trying to fit neatly into one particular genre.
The electronic elements give the album an IDM-inspired edge, while the dreamy melodies and guitars keep it grounded in alternative pop and rock.
There is a sense of experimentation happening throughout, but the songs never become so abstract that they lose their accessibility.
After taking roughly 12 years to become a reality, CG tears’ self-titled debut was clearly worth the wait.
It’s an unexpected pop gem from three distinctive Canadian artists who have managed to turn their individual eccentricities into something that feels cohesive, creative, and genuinely different.
If you’re into experimental electronic music, dreamy indie pop, psychedelic textures, and off-kilter alternative rock, CG tears is definitely an album worth checking out.
CG tears gets: 📷📷📷📷📷📷📷📷/10.
CG tears – Album Review: Experimental Pop With a Dreamy, Off-Kilter Edge
