INDEPENDENT REVIEWS
1. Logan Ellis (NZ)
Logan Ellis is a New Zealand performer, producer and teacher. His August 2021 review of the album is summarised here:
"Wow. We have listened through 30 tracks over the last few listening sessions. From "The Flat White Album" by Greg Barnett. I don't think there was a single weak track on this album. A phenomenal amount of effort to record the individual parts, to structure and record these songs. The chord progressions were not simple. There were some really complex melodies and harmonies. Each of these tracks has their own unique identity. Greg Barnett has definitely won my respect. It was carefully staged and selected. The performances were succulent not only because of the lyrics and the way he sang, but also the way he cleverly incorporated the emotions into the musicality, the instrumentation. It's basically a 10 out of 10 for me.”
His full video review (in 5 sections) is available HERE
2. Jess Chizuk (USA)
Jess Chizuk is an indie-folk/Americana singer-songwriter in her late twenties from Buffalo, NY, with a number of songwriting awards and achievements under her belt and a busy performer across the USA. Her October 2021 review of the album is summarised here:
"Insightful, purposed, and well-rounded. This extensive collection of work from Greg Barnett is a dynamic and contemplative project. With moments of lyrical brilliance around every corner, carried by graceful melodies and refreshingly light production, The Flat White Album is full of excellent commentary on the world, captivating storytelling, and heartfelt lyricism that will resonate with anyone with an appreciation for pensive, forthright singer-songwriter style.”
Her full written review is available HERE
3. Blank (Gold Coast, Australia)
Blank GC (later Blank Street Press) is the local independent street press magazine covering the Arts. Less a review of the album and more an interview of me being a 'late-comer' singer-songwriter/producer.
"To gain an insight into the man and his music, we fired him off a bunch of questions."
The full written article is available HERE
A follow-up article on the music videos is HERE
4. The Music B&B (UK)
Callum been writing, recording and producing music for himself and others for over 14 years. He studied Music Technology at Lancaster University and has created music in multiple genres. He reviews, reacts to music and give tips to independent artists.
His full video review is here: Part 1. Part 2 Part 3.
5. Adrian Gil (Colombia)
Adrian was 33 years old at the time of review, lives in Colombia (South America) and works as a freelance photographer, video editor, and music producer.
He reviewed SIX different tracks across my albums, and the ones for "Shadows", "Let Go", "Earthrise" and "The C-Bomb" from Flat White are the first, fourth, fifth and sixth respectively in the link below.
His full video review of all six tracks is: HERE.
6. Sleeping Bag Studios (Canada)
A source of information, music and mayhem within the independent music-scene, this is their August 2025 review of FIVE selected songs about the environment including (from The Flat White Album): 'The C-Bomb', 'Oy Vey Maria', 'Eathrise' and 'Frogs in a Pan'.
"It’s always a pleasure to listen to an artist with a sincere point of view. Greg Barnett’s making music not just for himself, but for the world really hoping to create some much needed awareness at a critical time in human history that many have come to regard as the tipping point for a plethora of heinous reasons.”
The full written review is available HERE
What do people say about "The Flat White Album" by Greg Barnett
(Google Search – January 19, 2026)
People describe Greg Barnett's "The Flat White Album" as an insightful, heartfelt, and ambitious 30-track indie-folk/singer-songwriter project with lyrical brilliance and introspective commentary, praising its melodic, well-produced sound, often compared to artists like Radiohead or Elton John in its depth, while noting its earnest exploration of contemporary issues like media cycles and personal struggles through relatable storytelling. Reviewers highlight its gentle, acoustic focus, intricate arrangements, and deeply personal, vulnerable feel, calling it a significant undertaking.
Key Themes & Praise:
- Lyrical Depth: Reviewers consistently point out "lyrical brilliance," insightful commentary on society, and heartfelt storytelling, making it resonant and memorable.
- Pensive & Introspective: The album offers a "dynamic and contemplative project," delving into "collective ennui" and personal reflection, often through a "pensive, forthright singer-songwriter style".
- Melodic & Well-Produced: Listeners appreciate the "graceful melodies," "refreshingly light production," and textured acoustic sound, even noting the detailed production work behind the scenes.
- Hopeful & Critical: Tracks like "Together" offer optimism for unity, while others tackle serious topics like the "toxic media cycle" and self-destruction, as seen in "Frogs In A Pan".
- Ambitious Scale: As a 30-track, digital-only debut, it's seen as a "mammoth task" and a significant musical achievement for Barnett, akin to The Beatles' White Album in scope.
Comparisons & Style:
- Folk/Indie-Folk: Described as gentle, acoustic, and intimate, with comparisons to contemporary folk acts.
- Artistic Influences: Mentions of Radiohead's emotionality and Elton John's piano work appear, while the acoustic approach is compared to The Beatles.
Overall Reception:
Very positive, with praise for its honesty, intricate details, and ability to create an immersive, disarming experience. It's considered a significant work from Barnett, available for free on platforms like Spotify. "The Flat White Album" by Greg Barnett is widely praised by critics and audiences as a monumental and deeply personal project. Released in 2020, the 30-track album is frequently highlighted for its lyrical depth, complex compositions, and diverse range of styles.
Critical Reception
Critics describe the album as a "mammoth task" that demonstrates high-level production and songwriting skills.
- Musicianship: Reviewers often note the influence of The Beatles, citing sing-song melodies paired with complex chord arrangements and harmonies. Logan Ellis, a New Zealand producer, gave it a 10 out of 10, stating there was not a "single weak track" and praising the clever incorporation of emotion into the musicality.
- Lyrical Themes: The album is noted for its "lyrical brilliance," covering a wide spectrum of topics from climate change (in "The C-Bomb") to the corporate "rat race" (in "Hamster Wheel") and deep personal reflection (in "Losing My Grip").
- Production: Jess Chizuk (USA) described the project as "insightful, purposed, and well-rounded," specifically applauding the "refreshingly light production" and "heartfelt lyricism".
Popular Tracks & Content
- "The C-Bomb": Noted for its bold opening featuring clips of politicians discussing climate change over dissonant strings.
- "Down Here": A jovial, upbeat track that samples Australian culture, described as a "foot-tapping number".
- "Last Post": A standout spoken-word piece set to music, detailing the loss of young men in war, praised for being "visceral, evocative, and painfully honest".
- Instrumentals: Tracks like "Guitar Sweet" and "Guitar Suite" are highlighted as proof of Barnett's strong arranging capabilities, offering a "refreshing reminder" of his skill with pure instrumentation.
Audience & Fan Reactions
Fans on various music forums and platforms have called the work "fantastic" and "beautifully structured," with one listener on a songwriting forum praising the "supreme effort" behind the project. Some audience members have also expressed being "blown away" by the inventiveness and uniqueness of the tracks.