In the raw, soul-stirring single ‘Even Superheroes Cry’, G.B. Rider—Guy Barnes’ musical alter ego—sharpens rock balladry with cuttingly evocative edges.
The standout track from his Child of Yesterday LP wields Elton John-reminiscent piano progressions in a production soaked in 80s nostalgia as the emotional tenor ascends to the raw grit found in Soul Asylum’s vocal desperation, coupled with a fierce nod to the early, unrestrained Manic Street Preachers.
So much more than just a melody that clings to your memory; Child of Yesterday is an anthem that roars for the right to be vulnerable, to be candid in the throes of emotional tumult.
Under the mentorship of the audio pioneer John Oram, Barnes has sculpted a career defined by decades of relentless creativity and emotional authenticity. His music—a synthesis of chorus-driven rock and the intimate narrative styles of legends like George Michael and Neil Diamond—is infused with the augmented energy of Jon Bon Jovi and the lyrical sincerity of Neil Sedaka. Each track G.B Rider crafts is a fortress of feeling and Even Superheroes Cry is far from the exception.
Returning from a hiatus propelled by the tragic loss of his friend and mentee Chris Hardman, Barnes channelled his sorrow into the defiant, hopeful chords of Child of Yesterday. This album is a phoenix’s cry from the ashes of despair, a testament to enduring past pain, a sonic anthology everyone will be able to find a piece of themselves within.
Stream Even Superheroes Cry as part of the Child of Yesterday LP in full via Spotify now.
Review by Amelia Vandergast