Mr Fib arrives with a debut that feels less like an introduction and more like an invitation into an evolving inner world. Shades is an ambitious eight-track record that folds together indie rock, alternative pop, folk, soul, spoken word and progressive flourishes without ever sounding weighed down by its influences. Instead, Gabriel Green, the East Sussex multi-instrumentalist behind the project, crafts an album that embraces contradiction as its defining strength. Following the promising reception of debut single “Beau,” which has already surpassed 10,000 streams, Shades establishes Mr Fib as an artist whose greatest asset is his willingness to remain emotionally exposed.
There is an undeniable sense of craftsmanship running throughout the record. Having written, arranged, produced and performed every song himself, Green draws equally from his classical background and contemporary songwriting instincts. Guitars sit comfortably alongside intricate orchestration, while spoken word passages weave naturally into soulful melodies. Fans of Tom Misch, Jack Garratt, Jamie Woon and Bon Iver will recognise familiar textures, but Mr Fib never feels content simply occupying established territory. His songwriting constantly shifts shape, creating a listening experience that rewards curiosity.
Lyrically, Shades is driven by questions rather than answers. Green reflects on growing up in a Catholic household before embracing life as a queer artist, unpacking themes of identity, vulnerability, faith and belonging with striking honesty. The album title itself becomes an elegant metaphor, referring simultaneously to emotional masks, changing perspectives and the Greek concept of souls awaiting rebirth. Rather than presenting transformation as a neat destination, Mr Fib explores the uncomfortable, beautiful process of becoming.
That openness extends into the album’s sonic experimentation. Spoken word and rhythmic vocal passages, inspired by a transformative period of personal freedom, give the record a conversational intimacy that recalls artists like Kae Tempest and Genesis Owusu without directly imitating either. The production remains spacious throughout, allowing every shift in emotion to breathe while maintaining enough melodic warmth to keep even its most introspective moments inviting.
For a debut, Shades displays remarkable confidence in refusing easy categorisation. It is thoughtful without becoming inaccessible, ambitious without feeling overworked, and deeply personal without losing its universal appeal. Mr Fib introduces himself as an artist interested less in fitting into alternative music’s existing landscape than in quietly expanding it, making Shades a compelling first chapter from a genuinely distinctive new voice.
Find Mr Fib: Spotify | PR: Danielle Holian of Decent Music PR
