Death Of An Optimist LP (Color)

Described by the alt-rocker as a “horror story with a happy ending,” the cohesive record brings together an eclectic group of collaborators including engineer Andrew Dawson (Kanye West), Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda, Blink-182’s Travis Barker, producer Krupa (Zero 9:36), and Boonn (grandson’s longtime musical partner). “It’s about my personal dilemma of whether or not to keep fighting,” grandson says about the album. “It really represents my own personal crossroads on if I can continue to preach agency and change in a time where there is so much fear-mongering and doom scrolling to suggest it could all be for nothing, ultimately.” As the protagonist, grandson simultaneously explores the dark underbelly of his unrelenting optimism for change, by creating an antagonist, X, and the 12-track collection delivers a subtle A-side/B-side structure, following the opposing forces’ dueling worlds.