Katie Tupper’s debut album, Greyhound, is a magnetic and eclectic amalgamation of R&B, indie-folk and jazz elements. Inspired by Sade and Norah Jones, the 28-year-old neo-soul musician leans into her rich tone, magnetizing audiences with her sultry low register.
A Saskatchewan-native, Tupper began releasing music in 2021, pivoting away from her first love: hockey. Since then, Tupper has released 15 singles, including “Jeans (fall on my knees),” which charted Top 5 on CBC Music’s Top 20. Her social media covers have also garnished attention online from the likes of SZA and Joe Jonas, making her one of Toronto’s most exciting rising stars.
Greyhound is a very full-circle record for Tupper, leaning into heavy themes of desire, regret, love, unhappiness and growth. She examines the tug-and-pull cycles in her life, one being the greyhound vs the decoy, constantly chasing after something that is unattainable. The audience follows Tupper on this journey to end unhealthy patterns and behaviors, eventually leading to self-acceptance. With help from Justice Der and Felix Fox, Greyhound feels like a homage to Tupper’s younger self and where she came from.
Greyhound opens with a hauntingly-beautiful, piano-heavy song called “Disappear,” outlining a very swift and intense past relationship. Although slow-paced, the track is rich with memorable harmonies and vocal layering, feeling almost ethereal. “Disappear” digs deep, vulnerably addressing the importance of listening to your intuition.
Tupper sings, “I can’t make it easy, but oh I can make it clear / The more you try to love me, the more I disappear,” in the chorus.
Another standout track is “Safe Ground,” a deeply sentimental song dedicated to a best friend. The call-and-response echoing of harmonies enhances the melody, almost mimicking a conversation. Tupper has a strong support system that allows her to evolve into the better version of herself, which keeps her grounded. In return, “Safe Ground” promises a safe place for the best friend to fall back on. On a similar note, “Whitney” feels incredibly nostalgic, depicting growing old with a dear friend.
The sonically exciting and rhythmic “Right Hand Man’ is infectious in its own right. Tupper successfully masks the topic of co-dependency with a catchy melody, allowing her to seek catharsis while being easily digestible. She alludes to the pressure to uphold expectations in relationships and how that can lead to resentment. Overall, the funk-inspired instrumentation makes “Right Hand Man” the perfect half-way point of the album.
“I’m becoming your first-hand, right-hand centre piece / You’re leaning on me for deep-down inner peace / I’m slipping away”
“Tennessee Heat,” “Sick To My Stomach,” and “Original Thought” are all equally alluring and seductive in their own right. Tupper depicts a carefree, never-ending summer of love with “Tennessee Heat.” The R&B ballad “Sick To My Stomach” is a slow-burn track about finding yourself plagued with intense obsession. Following suit, “Original Thoughts” expands on her neo-R&B sound, exploring the thrill of an intimate connection. Tupper’s introspectiveness and vivid lyricism, along with her raspy vocals, truly illuminate the records.
The self-deprecating, synth-heavy “Obviously Desperate” showcases how lost and unwanted Tupper feels in her relationship. This impending anxiety bleeds into the jazz-inspired “Jeans (fall on my knees),” where despite the cycle of rejection, she finds herself groveling. In verse two, Tupper laments, “So my greyhound, green grass, last chance, best case / it’s so hard when you feel so good.”
“Round and Round” is a love letter to Tupper’s hometown and inner-child. She grew up in the small, rural town of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, which she has a new-found appreciation for. Although the ballad reflects on this shift in perspective, she finds peace knowing that home will always be waiting for her. The album comes to a close with “Cowboy Lullaby,” full of heart, country twang, strings and a fiddle. Ultimately, Tupper comes to the realization that she is willing to put everything on the line for love.
Katie Tupper’s Greyhound feels like a long-overdue hug from a loved one, both cathartic and warm. Amongst the chaos of the world, her calming voice and effortless delivery will shine a bright light in the darkest of places. As a debut album, Greyhound has proven to be master-class in genre-bending, narrative songwriting.
You can find all of the Greyhound tour dates here!
Keep up with Katie Tupper below: Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram / TikTok / YouTube / Website
