Greta Van Fleet broke a three-year silence with a cryptic Instagram post today, offering the first hint of activity from the Michigan rock band since their 2023 album "Starcatcher." The tease arrives as the group's members have pursued scattered side projects, signaling either a potential reunion or, as one critic hopes, something more permanent.
Guitarist Jake Kiszka launched the duo Mirador in 2024. Earlier this year, he, bassist Sam Kiszka, and drummer Daniel Wagner all contributed to "The Dreamin' Kind," the latest release from veteran singer-songwriter Langhorne Slim. Frontman Josh Kiszka's activities remain unclear.
Greta Van Fleet built their reputation as a Led Zeppelin tribute act masquerading as original artists, a formula that has earned them both commercial success and persistent criticism. The band's sound relies so heavily on Zeppelin's playbook that comparisons feel unavoidable. Beyond sonic imitation, the group has faced controversy over cultural appropriation, including a 2021 incident involving sacred Indigenous attire.
The band released "Starcatcher" to mixed reviews, with detractors arguing it reinforced their derivative approach while supporters saw ambition in the effort. The extended gap since then reflects either creative exhaustion or the natural trajectory of a band whose initial buzz has cooled considerably.
The Instagram post's vagueness leaves options open. A new album announcement would satisfy longtime fans still invested in the group's trajectory. A hiatus or breakup would likely register as relief in certain corners of rock criticism, where Greta Van Fleet remains a convenient shorthand for pastiche over substance.
THE TAKEAWAY: Greta Van Fleet's three-year absence and members' outside work suggest a band at a crossroads, with the cryptic teaser hinting at a decision either way.