GB – Herzsprung (2026)

In the wake of Danish label Posh Isolation's closure in early 2025, one of its final releases drew significant intrigue: an enigmatic post-punk album credited to an artist identified only by the initials GB. This cryptic moniker masked a deeper story that would soon unfold, revealing Gustav Berntsen as the creative force behind the project.

Berntsen, a graduate of Copenhagen’s Rhythmic Music Conservatory (RMC), has been an active figure in the city’s music scene for several years. The conservatory itself has gained a reputation for nurturing innovative talent, counting artists such as ML Buch, Erika de Casier, and Smerz among its alumni. Berntsen’s multifaceted background includes fronting the noise rock band Pardans, whose sound owes much to Elias Rønnenfelt’s Iceage, and contributing to idiosyncratic rock and sparse pop recordings under various aliases including Gusse B and Dirt Bike.

His 2024 debut album as GB, Gusse Music, released on Posh Isolation, marked a departure from the label’s typical sound palette. The album was an intricate blend of grime, post-punk, and synth-pop, drawing stylistic parallels to artists like Bladee and Bar Italia rather than the darker, underground electronic focus Posh Isolation was known for. The record’s collage-like construction included references as diverse as The Cure, signaling Berntsen’s eclectic approach to genre blending.

Now signed to London’s AD 93 label, known for championing cutting-edge electronic and experimental artists, Berntsen has unveiled Herzsprung, his sophomore album as GB. Recorded in a remote Swedish studio with a full band, the album represents a notable evolution in his sound, showcasing a polished professionalism and a sophisticated fusion of acid folk, jazz fusion, and progressive pop elements reminiscent of 1970s album-oriented rock.

Herzsprung’s complex arrangements reflect Berntsen’s deep compositional studies, drawing on minimalist influences like Steve Reich and La Monte Young, while simultaneously weaving in jazz and rock traditions. The opening track, “Adrenaline,” layers precise guitar riffs atop dynamic drum patterns, gradually incorporating lush strings and fretless basslines that hint at jazz fusion pioneers such as Jaco Pastorius and Pat Metheny. The sonic tapestry melds psychedelic textures with tight musicianship, positioning the song as a bridge between past jazz virtuosity and contemporary experimental rock.

Throughout the album, Berntsen and his collaborators avoid indulgence, instead emphasizing subtle, deliberate arrangements. Tracks like “The Next Day” highlight ensemble cohesion with an indie-rock sensibility reminiscent of early R.E.M., while “Belly” delivers a modal, groove-oriented composition rich in obscure references accessible primarily to listeners versed in ’70s album rock and experimental folk traditions. This layered approach yields a sound that is simultaneously referential and distinct, evoking Japanese psych-rock, private-press folk, and Midwestern slowcore while asserting its own modern identity.

Lyrically, Herzsprung employs a cut-up technique sourcing fragments from London’s free newspaper Metro, resulting in cryptic, deadpan phrases that reflect contemporary social media vernacular. This method produces an uncanny intimacy, as demonstrated on “Shit River,” where Berntsen’s vocals intensify amid dense instrumentation and choral backing, culminating in a powerful wall of distorted sound. The album closes with reflective moments that contrast this intensity, maintaining a balance between complexity and accessibility.

Berntsen’s work aligns conceptually with fellow RMC graduates who reinterpret historical musical styles through expansive, modern frameworks. Rather than indulging in nostalgia, Herzsprung embodies a thoughtful excavation of musical signifiers, transforming them into new sonic forms comparable to the artistic movements responding to mass media in the mid-20th century. This approach positions GB as a significant contributor to the expanding art rock scene emerging from Copenhagen’s conservatory environment.

While Herzsprung is layered with intellectual rigor and eclectic influences, it remains approachable and engaging, a testament to Berntsen’s technical skill and artistic vision. The album exemplifies how contemporary musicians can engage with the past not as mere homage but as a fertile ground for innovative expression. As GB, Gustav Berntsen continues to carve a unique path that bridges academic study, underground music culture, and sophisticated songwriting.