7/10

With his fifth full-length project in as many years, Canadian multi-hyphenate Michael Joseph Green refuses to be pinned down. 'V' continues his innovative streak as a fearless leap into uncharted territory. Pulling threads from everywhere including arena-ready rock choruses, smoky lounge-jazz elegance, experimental pop textures, even the occasional didgeridoo, Green shapes an album that feels like a career milestone, not just another yearly release.

What ties 'V' together is Green’s unmistakable vocal grit. His voice lands somewhere between classic rock hero and emotional raconteur, echoing shades of Chris Cornell, Bryan Adams, and Bon Jovi with a smouldering conviction that anchors the album’s twists and turns. No matter the stylistic shift, be it a brassy, jazz-tinged ballad or a synth-heavy alt-rock number, his vocals ground the songs with a distinct, familiar presence.

Green’s songwriting ambition is front and centre throughout, challenging himself to push past formula and flirt with the unfamiliar. There’s an infectious restlessness to the record, as if each song is trying to outdo the one before it. It’s this fusion of bold ideas with accessible hooks that makes the record truly resonate as it plays.

But beyond its genre-spanning spectacle, 'V' still feels personal as an artist clearly in love with the process, curious and unafraid to evolve. Green’s creative vision is as wide open as ever, and this record shows he’s just getting started.