Gillan Edgar Delivers a Spirited, Retro-Pop Knockout With the Electrifying Debut ALbum 'Lost and Found'
- STAFF
- May 1
- 6 min read
By: Staff
Gillan Edgar delivers a wildly impressive, hook-laden debut packed with clarity, wit, and vintage flair.
Lost and Found is the kind of debut album that doesn't just introduce you to an artist, it wakes you up. We stumbled across the exhilarating one-man powerhouse Gillan Edgar and his first full-length release, and after immersing ourselves in Lost and Found, we felt compelled to share what we experienced. This album doesn’t just ask for your attention, it demands it from the very first beat.
Right out of the gate, the opening track, "Mr Inconsistent", bursts with electrifying energy. A tight, punchy drum groove kicks things off, setting a fast-paced, kinetic tone that refuses to sit still. It’s not just rhythmic, it’s alive. When Gillan Edgar’s vocals come in, it’s impossible not to take notice. With a bold, commanding delivery that manages to be both dynamic and clean, he immediately sets himself apart. What also strikes you is his vocal control. He calibrates every phrase with intent, aligning perfectly with the rhythm and intensity of the track’s progression. Underneath that voice, there’s a rich layer of acoustic-driven guitar work that feels multidimensional. The effect is enveloping, as though the sound is coming from every direction at once, resonant, bright, and deliberate.
Following that, a shift takes place. Edgar slows the vocal pace, holding notes with a legato smoothness that contrasts beautifully with the constant, driving beat. It’s a subtle moment, but a revealing one. This dynamic change evokes a closeness, as if he’s stepped off the stage and is now singing directly to you. The retro influence is also unmistakable here. Those rapid drum fills and slightly higher-pitched snares conjure a '60s sensibility that feels warmly familiar without being derivative.
What truly sets Gillan Edgar apart is his signature vocal imprint. His tone is unique, his phrasing unmistakable. There’s a clarity and emotional resonance in his voice that’s infectious. You’re pulled in deeper with every line. The lyric:
“I just hope she understands / I try to be the better man,”
lands with sincerity, only to be undercut in a perfectly cheeky twist with:
“I guess inconsistently I am.”
That clever, self-aware delivery seals it. It’s that blend of vulnerability and wit that hooks you and keeps you there. Add to that some of the most intricate guitar work we’ve heard on a solo record in recent memory, and you’ve got an opening track that doesn’t just make a statement, it sticks the landing. The song’s evolution from punchy exuberance to airy falsetto is seamless, and the combination of retro flair with modern energy makes it feel instantly iconic.
The transition to “Victoria Has a Secret” brings a shift in tone but not in quality. Here, the guitar opens with a gentle, detuned shimmer that moves into a deeper, bass-rich resonance. The interplay creates a layered intro that’s simply hypnotic. Edgar’s vocal performance here is nothing short of stunning: soft, breathy, and richly expressive. His lyrics unfold like a private thought process being shared in real time.
“Inviting me to improvise / she helps me see a side I never see / come alive in me,”
He sings this with an emotional weight that feels fully lived in. What follows is a lush string section, driven by violin, that elevates the entire arrangement and adds cinematic depth. This track proves that Edgar’s range isn’t just technical, it’s emotional. His ability to switch from intricate restraint to full-blown orchestration without losing cohesion is a rare skill, and he executes it effortlessly here.
To top it all off, there’s a terrific music video for “GET UP GET MOVING” that showcases yet another dimension of Gillan Edgar’s creative arsenal. The video unfolds with an ambitious and imaginative storyline, featuring Edgar playing multiple roles, both as a scientist and as the very musician laying down each instrumental track. It’s an exhilarating watch, blending his signature vocal intensity with a visual production that feels like a million-dollar major label release. The editing is sharp, the visual overlays are strikingly intricate, and the overall execution is remarkably cinematic. Edgar’s vocal performance here is one of his most powerful to date. There's a raw urgency in his delivery that instantly commands attention, and as the song hits its interlude and builds back toward a final explosive crescendo, it becomes clear this is one of the standout moments on Lost and Found. We couldn’t help but feel the spirit of early 2000s alt-rock energy, there are definite flashes of The Strokes in both sound and visual styling. Edgar seems to have a limitless creative reservoir, and this track, paired with the visual experience, stands as one of our absolute favorites. We won't spoil the dramatic ending, but trust us, you don’t want to miss it.
Closing with “Eureka Song,” Edgar reveals yet another side of himself. A gritty, close-mic vocal intro backed by raw, overdriven guitar tones signals a pivot. This is Gillan Edgar at his most primal: less polished, more urgent. The Talking Heads comparison feels inevitable, but what’s impressive is how he expands on that lineage rather than imitating it. The song builds into a full-throttle crescendo that practically begs for a live audience. Guitars duel back and forth, alternating between crisp highs and frenetic, spiraling solos. The harmonies here are rich and animated, pushing the song into danceable chaos. Every part, from drums to guitar to layered vocals, feels instinctively timed, like a band in peak form. Yet it’s all Edgar. The fact that he pulled off this scope of sound alone is mind-bending.
What’s perhaps most striking about Lost and Found is the sheer breadth of Gillan Edgar’s talent. Not only did he write, sing, and perform every part, but he also engineered an album with clarity and punch. There’s a spirit of reverence in his work, echoing the influences of pop and rock’s great storytellers. Yet he never sacrifices originality. This record is more than just an impressive solo effort, it’s a personal mission fulfilled, a reintroduction of guitar-based pop at a time when it’s sorely needed.
With the skill and vision shown here, Edgar has the potential to make a serious impact.
Gillan Edgar’s Lost and Found is a dazzling solo debut full of timeless melodies and punchy pop craftsmanship.
Gillan Edgar is a rare kind of artist: restlessly creative, sharply intentional, and deeply connected to the roots of his craft. Lost and Found, his long-awaited debut, comes out of a very personal place. Initially recorded over a decade ago and lost amid the twists of life, the album sat unreleased until it was recently unearthed and finally given its chance to breathe.
That history gives the project a quiet sense of triumph. It's not just a debut, it’s a resurrection. The music is propelled by elaborate arrangements that reveal new layers with every listen, and each song is designed to serve the story within the lyrics.
Edgar’s process is as singular as his sound. Recorded entirely in and around Manchester, using everything from makeshift studios to improvised corners of back rooms and boudoirs, the album was built in solitude, one instrument at a time. With no outside collaborators, he leaned into the lineage of iconic solo auteurs like Paul McCartney and Jeff Lynne, channeling their independent spirit to bring his songs to life. The result captures the energy of a full band but with a clarity of vision that only a solo effort can provide.
You can hear the echoes of his influences—The Beatles, Elvis Costello, Ray Davies, Elliott Smith, and Justin Currie, in the thoughtful songwriting and layered textures. He filters those inspirations through his own distinctive lens. There’s a touch of psychedelia, bursts of power-pop, and an indie-pop heartbeat that feels both nostalgic and new. It’s not just a revival of an old sound, it’s a personal reinvention of it.
As a live performer, Gillan plans to explore this material through streams and studio showcases, staying true to the album’s introspective and self-contained spirit. Originally from Dumfries, Scotland, Edgar moved to Manchester to immerse himself in its vibrant musical legacy, from The Hollies to Oasis, and it’s clear that he’s now becoming part of that tradition himself.
We’re so excited to have found Gillan Edgar and the Album, Lost and Found
Make sure to stream, playlist, and share Lost and Found by Gillan Edgar.
