Reviewed by Veronika Van Der Walt
UK-born South African singer-songwriter GAZ (Garry McCluskey), formerly the frontman of the 1990s South African rock band CRUSH, reignited his passion for music in 2020, collaborating with SAMA-winning producer Mark Beling. Over the years, this partnership blossomed into a distinctive sound and a collection of ten deeply personal tracks that explore themes of transformation, love, balance, and social issues. His heartfelt lyrics and captivating melodies resonate with audiences across the globe, from the UK and Sweden to the USA and Mexico, and beyond.
“The inspiration for these reflections struck me when my wife, Kim, was diagnosed with cancer. We all hope for the health and recovery of those we cherish, yet the question of “what if?” inevitably surfaces. I am not prepared for the worst and cannot imagine losing my life partner. But if the unthinkable happened, how would I find my true love again when I, too, cross over?” – GAZ
1. Slow Down
I can see in my mind an exhausted man with a glass of champagne, sitting in an armchair after a busy day at work, just wanting things to slow down. Then I see him wandering the streets late at night looking for answers. The track suddenly gets heavier (metal) halfway through, which is a contrast to the title but makes you feel the man’s desperation.
2. My New Skin
This track is more positive and makes me think of a snake that has just shed its old skin. It’s about new beginnings and being proud of your new self. The singer also urges others not to be afraid of starting over again.
3. Pay To Breathe
The tempo of this one is a bit slower for you to think about spending more time with loved ones before you have to “pay to breathe” or before they are gone. It reminded me of my dad, who’s 81 and sick, to spend more time with him, and that brought tears to my eyes.
4. The Afterlife
I see a man just risen from the dead, looking for his already deceased wife through thick fog. The haunting voice of DelMari Shaw (DelShaw) sounds like his wife is also searching for him and calling out to him. It gave me goosebumps!
5. Dopamine
In my mind, a dopamine-deprived man stumbles in the back alleys looking for a quick fix – a feeling familiar to me. He looks at tempting drug dealers and prostitutes, but he resists. Luckily, the sun starts to rise and gives him back his powers like Superman.
6. She Play Me
Continuing from the previous song, the man did get his fix, but it was not enough. The fix could either have been a woman or metaphorically a drug/medication. When you go through a very stressful time or have a mental illness, it sometimes feels like the treatment you’re getting is not enough anymore, and you feel “played”. I think many mental illness sufferers can relate to this song.
7. Lullaby For The World
I thought this track would be slow since ‘lullaby’ is in the title, but it was not the case.
The man in our story sounds mad at God for not helping him and wonders why there is so much suffering going on in the world. It’s a question I also have struggled with and still haven’t found the answer.
8. Heaven Calling Me
I like the lyrics “dive into the sea” which is in contrast with heaven. But symbolically, I think we’ve all “heard heaven calling us” when you’ve lost something or someone important to you and you don’t know how to carry on. The track does end quite suddenly, like the track “died” suddenly.
9. Into The Light
The man finally reunites with his deceased wife in heaven after walking in circles and tells her how crazy the world has become.
10. Time Junkie
The beginning is techno making you feel like you’re time travelling. The second half is more rock giving the feeling of space travelling.
An emotional album with great storytelling. For me this album tells a story of a man who has lost his wife and tries to cope but fails. He finally joins her and they go on journeys together. The best of luck to GAZ and his wife.
I would like to congratulate GAZ and all who’s who worked on this album, it is truly a beautiful masterpiece , and I look forward to seeing what comes next from GAZ
Clean Lyrics ‘The Afterlife’
How will you see when you’re blind?
How will you dream when you’ve lost your mind?
How will you find me on the other side?
How will you breathe with no blue sky?
How will you feel in that silent dark divide?
How will you find me on the other side?
I’ll call you, I’ll be with you
Oh come to my side
I’ll find you, I’ll dance with you
Oh come to me now
Forever binded in the afterlife
And in the night we’ll meet again
Spirits connected, we’re one, we’re all the same
How many times will we collide?
I’ll call you, I’ll be with you
Oh come to my side
I’ll find you, I’ll dance with you
Oh come to, me now
Forever binded in the afterlife
I’ll call you, I’ll be with you
Oh come to my side
I’ll find you, I’ll dance with you
Oh come to me now
Forever binded in the afterlife
Goodbye, I’ll find you
You can follow GAZ and listen to his album here:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GazMusicSA
Instagram: www.instagram.com/garrymccluskey
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@garrymccluskey8467
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GarryCluskey