With a year like what we’ve been seeing from the many different corners of rock that can be considered stoner-related, desert-related, psychedelic and everything else in between, one can only wonder where the constant stream of magnificence will end! The absolute dominance of the sound been no secret thanks to the likes of Big Scenic Nowhere, The Cosmic Dead, Karkara, Elk Witch, and more with the likes of Fu Manchu, Rezn after already dishing out glory last year, Abrams, Lord Buffalo, and far more on the horizon. In no small way, we’ve been graced with a real celebration of this brand of rock music that knows not how to disappoint. As if we weren’t spoiled enough already, Greenleaf now throws its hat into the ring with their newest album with a single question coming forth: can they compare to the glory they’re surrounded on all sides by? It’s Greenleaf, of course they can!

As one of the top names in everything in the world of Swedish heavy rock to the point that this act have rightfully become a pillar of the sound in their own right, Greenleaf has come a long way with many of its albums downright landmark and some still ringing in my ears (I’m looking at your, “Rise Above the Meadows”). But, as time goes on, one cannot help but wonder if there is to be a drop-off when it comes to the band’s quality as you can only stay so good for so long before coming to any sort of a bump in the road, yet Greenleaf seems to be handling it all with utmost grace and undeniable magnificence. Case and point: “The Head & the Habit”. Nine tracks that are simply overflowing with the riffs and intoxicating personality that has made Greenleaf into the dominating presence in Swedish rock for several years now, every given moment of “The Head & the Habit” sees these masters further explore their craft with a keen eye for detail, adventurous enough to keep us wondering what is to come next, frenetic right from the start, and no less than captivating with their free-spirited sound that knows precisely what it’s doing in each minute. It would be crass of me to immediately write off this record as an obvious success for the likes of Greenleaf, but it is certainly tempting. What we’re given here is another masterclass of what it means to be at the top of the food chain for your sound with the pedigree and reputation of Greenleaf more than living up to any and all standards for the absolute entirety of the band’s ninth work. A stoner, bluesy creation that is overladen with hooks and melodies to transport you to a different realm many times over, excellence like “The Head & the Habit” is all but expected from Greenleaf at this point.

Even as we find ourselves utterly drowning in glory the likes of which cannot simply be denied, leave it up to a band as emblematic as Greenleaf come around to not just perpetuate the mastery but arguably race the bar up a peg despite the already sky-high standards we’ve been dealing in this year. Every year Greenleaf comes back around tends to be a good year for stoner rock, but their inclusion in 2024’s growing insanity is the icing on the cake that we thought we already had. For all that “The Head & the Habit” brings to the table, titanic euphoria is but the tip of the iceberg.

“The Head & The Habit” releases on June 21st via Magnetic Eye Records!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “The Head & The Habit” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Greenleaf on Facebook here.