Article 328, Originally Published on September 24th
Seoul Metro, the solo project by UK independent artist, Chris Gibson, are accustomed to big, anthemic alt pop melodies that will absolutely just stop listeners in their tracks. It’s hard to believe all of the sound generated from each song comes from one person. Sometimes, Gibson himself contemplates how that comes to be.
“Is it ‘real’ when one guy, alone in a room, records and programs parts, one by one, with the aim of sounding like a band? If he uses software to sound like ‘real equipment?’ Or drum machines and samples?” ~ Chris Gibson (on producing ‘Is This Real?’)
Gibson, like many artists, takes a hard stance against using generative AI throughout any creative process and has abstained from using it in any part of his production processes for any of his work.
His question though, takes that concept a little bit further. I can understand the question to an extent. I do think it takes a creative mind to program a song and make it sound good, almost just as much as an instrumentalist. It’s an art form that takes a comprehension of what one is doing. I like to reference DJ work (real DJs, not the MacBook crusaders who ironically wear headphones around their neck and click a mouse to pick the next song). There are intricacies that take time to develop with artists who work the turntables.
To listen to Seoul Metro, I wouldn’t think it was just one person. Honestly, it feels bigger than one person.
I first fell in love with Seoul Metro’s music in 2024, after the release of his single, Just Love, later to be featured on his album, Under the Same Sky.
It was early in the days of trying to establish my little platform that I invited musicians to share their music to be included on a playlist of independent recording artists. I listened to Just Love and immediately didn’t understand how this music wasn’t getting more attention.
The further I dove into Seoul Metro’s music and Gibson’s story, I became more entranced with how extraordinary this work was.
Stories. It’s amazing the places a good story can come from. Last year, Gibson shared with me a story about a guitar that would introduce the release of his single, BRING BACK THE GOOD TIMES! and essentially kickstart the journey of writing what would become his latest release, Is This Real?
Is This Real?
Is This Real? is the latest album release by UK indie rock artist, Seoul Metro. This 11-song LP released on September 17th, 2026 was written, recorded, and produced by Chris Gibson. It also features a cover of Belong 2 by Kid Lightbulbs, who also features on the song Boys in Cars, a song that Gibson and Kid Lightbulbs’ Brandon Green cowrote. Is This Real? runs at just over 40 minutes and is exclusively available on Bandcamp.
This is a no-skips album if I have ever heard one! Where this album is different from Under the Same Sky is it is heading more in the direction of a pop rock album. There is a dynamic energy throughout the entire album. Starting with the cover, Belong2, it’s such a cool take on the track. Kid Lightbulbs version is very prog rock where Seoul Metro really turned it towards an alternative rock song. The differences are bigger than that sounds. It is a very cool take on the song.
The single, BRING BACK THE GOOD TIMES! is just an expertly crafted song. When I first heard it, I was so blown away because it was such an unexpected transition from his old work. I was honestly blown away. He is such a good pop producer and performer, to hear him absolutely nail a rock song took me by surprise.
There is a subtle element to his music that reminds me of really good U2, instrumentally. It’s not as overly saturated with reverb like they like to do, but there is air in the music. It is positive and atmospheric. That much is similar to Under the Same Sky. It’s a different style but a similar feel.
My vote for favorite track is Caffeine. That is just a good song. It has everything. This song is not supposed to have been made in somebody’s bedroom studio. It’s polished and brilliant.
The feature with Kid Lightbulbs, Boys in Cars is a completely complimentary song. The two artists’ styles blend so well together. I love how the guitar comes in after the break where Kid Lightbulbs’ vocals are isolated and most of the music drops out. This is a big, anthemic song.
There is something really exciting about Our Kid and Never Was as these are the most organic songs that I’ve heard Seoul Metro produce, as they are both primarily accompanied by an acoustic guitar performance. It’d be interesting to hear an entire album lean in this direction.
My second favorite song on the album is Happy. It is solid alt-pop energy. It actually reminds me of myah and her album i don’t know what i’m feeling that came out last August.
Seoul Metro is More Diverse Than I Realized
If there is one takeaway I have from listening to Is This Real? it is definitely that Seoul Metro has many more tricks in his bag than I realized. It’s almost as if he has created a paradox in my mind because there is such a familiarity from this album to the last that i can identify that it is him, but they are completely different bodies of work. They are two different feelings. Two branches off of the same tree, I suppose.
I love Under the Same Sky but, in my opinion, Is This Real? blows that album away. I think a big part is that this album feels more cohesive than Under the Same Sky did. That album felt like a collection of strong songs but they each had more of an individuality to them. Is This Real? is fluid; connected.
Seoul Metro continues to impress. He is a patient artist and his meticulous approach shows in the finished product he’s given us. Currently, Is This Real? is exclusively available on Bandcamp. This is absolutely one to add to the collection. Go press play!
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