ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Greta Van Fleet Heals Passionately With 'PALACE FOR THE PEOPLE'
These notes were taken at Greta Van Fleet's 'PALACE FOR THE PEOPLE' album listening party on October 5, 2026 at Vintage Vinyl in University City (St. Louis, Missouri). All words by Bethany Hildebrandt.
Greta Van Fleet's latest project 'Palace For The People' is essentially an acoustic-based masterpiece featuring variations of acoustic ballads, sleazy guitar solos and more from guitarist Jake Kiszka. The album also showcases healing through lyrics, charismatic drum beats and funky bass lines. As vocalist Josh Kiszka invites you into the first track of the new album, you're met with angel-like vocals, to kick it off with "Into The Beginning," as orchestral melodies invite you onto your rock n roll journey.
"What we have done as artists has had some kind of implication on pop culture." - Josh Kiszka
Fast-paced recent single "Tear It Down" features motivating lyrics such as - "Build it up, then you tear it down," and a thundering guitar solo. The blues-driven "Heart and The Beat" reveals heavy bass tones from Sam Kiszka and roaring drumbeats from Daniel Wagner. "Boughten Bliss" focuses on heavy acoustics, soulful melodies and angel-like hymns. The track also contains a very uplifting message - "If you just believe/You will see/What you were always meant to be."
"Rock and Roll belongs to every generation." - Jake Kiszka
Piratical acoustics lead us into a rockin' melody during the chorus of "Field Of Stars." The album's debut single "Play Your Games," is a reflection of that rock n roll rebellious attitude that is so embraced. Evolving later in the album with romanticized song "Saw You Stand" showcases illuminating vocals, a killer guitar solo and heartbreaking lyrics - "Your light made the darkness glow/I pray you'll forever know/Loving you made me whole."
"You really have to go through the negative things, take those just as much as the positive things." - Sam Kiszka
Closing out Palace For The People is "Born Into This" that features an orchestrated solo, aligning perfectly with the band's rock n roll vibe. Daniel ends the track with strong bongos and stereo-fading sounds. The album ends on a possible cliff-hanger with a long-battled journey with oneself, finally feeling at peace and healed.
With the release of Palace For The People, Greta Van Fleet proves they're still loud, super relevant and they're coming to a show near you. Greta Van Fleet shows fantastic maturity with experimental guitar riffs, pedals, bongos, and the band has truly acquired their own sound.
GRETA VAN FLEET
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