Some songs are written to tell a story, while others exist because the artist simply couldn’t carry the weight of that story any longer. Garrett Anthony Rice’s Going Up (to see him) is unmistakably the latter. As the lead single from his forthcoming 18-track double album EQUINOX, the song is a deeply personal tribute to Rice’s best friend, who tragically took his own life at the age of 21 in Dublin during the early 1990s. More than thirty years later, Rice has finally found the words to express the grief he has carried for decades.
What immediately stands out to me is the emotional honesty behind the song. Rice openly admits that he was unable to write or record it until the EQUINOX sessions in 2024. That passage of time gives Going Up (to see him) an authenticity that cannot be manufactured. This isn’t simply a song about loss; it’s the sound of someone finally giving voice to emotions that had remained unspoken for years.
Musically, the track is supported by an outstanding group of collaborators who help elevate its emotional impact without overshadowing its message. Tim Will’s piano brings warmth and reflection, Geoff Dugmore’s drums provide subtle power, Chris Webb’s bass grounds the arrangement, and the soaring vocals of the Dublin African Gospel Choir add a sense of hope that contrasts beautifully with the song’s painful subject matter. Produced by Chris Potter and recorded across Kore Studios in London, Potter’s home studio in Bournemouth, and Darklands Studio in Dublin, the production feels intimate while maintaining a cinematic scale.
What I appreciate most is that the song never allows grief to become its only message. Although it acknowledges profound loss, Rice also hopes it will bring comfort to others who have experienced similar tragedy. His belief that loved ones remain spiritually present gives the song a quiet sense of hope that prevents it from becoming overwhelmed by sadness. That balance between mourning and healing is what makes the track so emotionally effective.
Rice’s wider artistic journey also deserves recognition. Following the release of his debut album under the alias (i) CONSULT, he has undertaken the ambitious task of creating EQUINOX, an 18-song double album that showcases his growth as both a songwriter and storyteller. His recent performances in Dublin demonstrate an artist increasingly comfortable sharing deeply personal material with audiences, something that undoubtedly strengthens the emotional connection within his music.
Ultimately, Going Up (to see him) is more than a tribute to a lost friend. It is a testament to the healing power of songwriting and the courage it takes to revisit painful memories in the hope of helping others. Garrett Anthony Rice has transformed decades of unresolved grief into a song that is compassionate, sincere, and profoundly human.
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