Release Date: January 17, 2025 (Nettwerk Records)
Geowulf’s new album, The Child, feels like a diary cracked open under the soft glow of a bedside lamp—a collection of deeply personal reflections, carried by Star Kendrick’s voice, which sounds as if it’s lived a thousand lives. For longtime fans of Geowulf, this release marks a bold new chapter. It’s not just a shift in tone or focus—it’s a full-on metamorphosis. Star Kendrick, now stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist, uses The Child to peel back the layers of her life, her memories, and her future as a mother. The result is an album that’s as tender as it is sharp, as dreamy as it is grounded.
Kendrick’s songwriting has always had a knack for evoking the bittersweet, but this time it’s different. On The Child, she turns inward, exploring themes of motherhood, identity, and legacy with a rawness that lingers long after the last note fades. The album feels like a quiet rebellion against the expectations of what motherhood—or womanhood—should look like. There’s a beauty in how uncertain and unpolished some of these emotions are; Kendrick doesn’t tie everything up in a neat little bow, and that’s exactly what makes it so compelling.
The Sound of Growth
Musically, The Child walks a fine line between the hazy psych-pop textures Geowulf has become known for and something more intimate—more human. Tracks like “Nightmare” and “Can’t Read Your Mind” shimmer with lush arrangements, but they’re punctuated by moments of stark honesty. You can feel Kendrick processing life in real time. In “Dreaming,” its lullaby-like melody and that gut-punch of a question: “If I could let myself dream, would anybody stop me?” It’s a song about doubt, ambition, and the weight of the invisible expectations placed on women. The instrumentation feels almost weightless, like Kendrick is dreaming out loud, untethered but still searching for solid ground.
“Dolly,” the album’s lead single, is another highlight. It’s breezy and sun-dappled, with a bittersweet undercurrent. Kendrick sings about letting go of the versions of herself she’s outgrown, and you can feel the ache in her voice. There’s a sense of gratitude for what’s passed but also an urgency to move forward—something I think a lot of people can relate to, whether they’re becoming parents or just stepping into a new chapter of life.
And then there’s “Stay Baby,” which might just be the emotional core of the album. Written from the imagined perspective of Kendrick’s mother, it’s a poignant exercise in empathy. The verses feel almost conversational, like two generations speaking across time, and then the chorus hits, full of longing and vulnerability. It’s the kind of song that leaves you sitting in silence for a moment after it ends, just to take it all in.
A Portrait of Motherhood
What really sets The Child apart is its exploration of motherhood—not just as an experience, but as a lens through which Kendrick examines her past and her future. The title track, which closes the album, feels like an ode to the child Kendrick was and the child she’s now raising. It’s almost hymn-like, with a melody that feels like it’s holding something fragile. You can sense Kendrick grappling with how to break cycles, how to give her child the kind of childhood she never had.
But the album doesn’t romanticize motherhood or gloss over its complexities. On “Angry,” Kendrick lets frustration spill out, addressing the tension between her dreams and the reality of raising a child. And “Nightmare” captures the fears that creep in during those sleepless nights—fears of failure, of not being enough. It’s raw and cathartic, but it’s also deeply relatable.
A New Era for Geowulf
It’s been five years since Geowulf’s last album, My Resignation, and in that time, Kendrick has navigated some seismic changes—becoming a mother, training as a social worker, and parting ways (on good terms) with longtime collaborator Toma Banjanin. That sense of transformation runs through every song on The Child. You can hear Kendrick stepping into her own voice, unafraid to tackle big questions and even bigger emotions.
At just over 40 minutes, the album doesn’t overstay its welcome, but it leaves a lasting impression. Each track feels like a snapshot of a moment in Kendrick’s life, woven together into a tapestry that’s equal parts nostalgic and forward-looking.
Final Thoughts
The Child is a brave, introspective record that balances vulnerability with strength. It’s an album about growth, about learning to make peace with the past while building a future. For fans of Geowulf, this might feel like a departure, but it’s one that’s worth following. Star Kendrick’s willingness to lay everything bare makes this album not just a listening experience, but an emotional journey.
So put on The Child, dim the lights, and let it wash over you. It’s the kind of album that’ll sit with you long after it’s over, nudging you to reflect on your own life in the process. And really, isn’t that what the best music does?
Standout Tracks: “Dreaming,” “Stay Baby,” “Dolly,” “Angry”
For Fans Of: Weyes Blood, Hatchie, Lana Del Rey, Julia Jacklin
Out now on Nettwerk Records. Don’t sleep on this one.
