HMS Beckett delivers a stunning meditation with album, "greyhound / fern / swallowtail / apple tree"
Some albums arrive with fanfare, and some just seem to appear fully formed, born out of pure necessity rather than any grand plan. "greyhound / fern / swallowtail / apple tree" from HMS Beckett feels like the second kind, an album written in a genuine “flurry of creativity” after a decade away from songwriting, and that urgency gives it a real emotional honesty from the very first note. Trust us when we say that what you’re about to hear is downright gorgeous from beginning to end.
Chris, the artist behind HMS Beckett and previously one half of the band Red Trees alongside his wife Lou Richards, has crafted something here that feels deeply personal while reaching for something much bigger. This is an album built around the beauty of the natural world, set against the backdrop of the climate emergency, and that tension between love and loss runs through every track. It's heartbreak and hope living side by side and you can feel how much genuine care went into finding that balance. You get introduced via the opener “summons” that really sets the tone, but beyond that, it only picks up in grace.
Sonically, this record keeps things wonderfully sparse. It's primarily built around acoustic guitar and Chris's own vocals, with atmospheric touches woven in here and there to add texture without ever crowding the songs. That restraint feels completely intentional, letting the writing take center stage rather than burying it under unnecessary production. One real standout is "Summer field," which stands out a bit from the rest of the record thanks to some subtle synth work in the background, giving that particular song a bit more atmosphere and a slightly different color.
Though there’s no possible way we could talk about this record without mentioning the title track. It’s a whopping 22 minutes long and honestly feels like a mini EP within the entire record. The textures, nature samples, his vocals, the lush guitar, it’s got it all. It comes as the penultimate song and really sets you up for a beautiful finish with “Gaia (reprise)”.
The album as a whole surely leans heavily on its lyrics throughout, and rightfully so. This is clearly a project driven by words first, an outpouring of emotion condensed into a deep love for the natural world and everything we stand to lose. Living in York with his family and his greyhound Lilly, Chris brings a real sense of rootedness to this record, like these songs come from someone who's genuinely watching and caring for the world immediately around him.
For us what lingered the most after listening is just how calming and relaxed the whole experience feels, even while wrestling with such weighty subject matter. It's the kind of album you can sink into, one that invites quiet reflection rather than demanding your attention. Though we will say, we gave it a 100% focused listen. It's exciting to think about how many more people might get to sit with these songs once you hit the play button.
"greyhound / fern / swallowtail / apple tree" is a truly beautiful listen, sparse but never lacking, heartfelt in a way that feels completely earned. Music doesn’t need to be bombast to be art and for us, this is the definition of musical art. We already know we’ll be coming back to it often for moments of peace, which is exactly why we’re urging you to give it a spin.
So please, go ahead and click those links below to enjoy, to follow along, and to stay tuned for whatever’s next from HMS Beckett.
Listen to "greyhound / fern / swallowtail / apple tree"
Like what you read? Follow our social media and playlist for the latest in independent music:
