Geordie Greep has sent shockwaves through the British rock scene with his declaration that Black Midi, the now-legendary duo he once helmed, is officially on hiatus and not something he's keen on revisiting anytime soon. Black Midi has always been characterized by bold improvisation and a lack of fear in stepping outside the comfort zone. Yet, with the release of Greep’s debut single, Holy, Holy, it’s abundantly clear why he wants to stay away from Black Midi. It’s experimental, for sure, but it’s far more structured and crafted with purpose compared to the trembling chaos of Black Midi.

In Holy, Holy, we’re witnessing the moment where math rock collides with salsa, where cringe is outgunned by the rawness of punk, the chaos of jazz, and the sweeping grandeur of Broadway.

The track opens with an unrelenting guitar groove that grips you from the first note and refuses to let go. This rhythm, the spine of the song, becomes a communal force, passed between instruments as the song mutates and shifts through its sections. When Geordie’s voice cuts in, the guitars deliberately stutter off-beat, creating tension between the established groove and the orchestration's defiant disinterest in sticking to any formula. It’s a peculiar dissonance but one that feels strangely satisfying.

Between the song’s main sections, interludes arise where the rhythmic motif from the beginning is echoed by a chorus chanting “Holy, holy,” but then twisted, accompanied by salsa instrumentation, Cuban punto rhythms, and harmonies that recall Broadway’s stereotypical vision of Havana. The contrast is jarring yet thrilling, like a drunken carnival that somehow keeps finding its rhythm despite the chaos.

The narrative Geordie spins is one of raw, unfiltered pathos—man’s age-old insecurities around love, self-worth, and sexuality laid bare for all to see. It’s vulnerable, and almost painfully so.

For die-hard fans, this will be a curious evolution, but it’s also one of the more accessible tracks Greep has ever produced, opening the door for a broader audience to step into his mad genius. If this is your first encounter with him, Holy, Holy might just be the gateway to discovering the electrifying world of Black Midi.

Dive in and enjoy the ride.

Author: Martín Cacho

Martín is a video game composer, producer and writer from Sonora, México.