George Collins is no stranger to reinvention. The Washington D.C.-born, Prague-based singer-songwriter has made a career out of embracing change, and his latest single, “New Way” is a declaration of that ethos.
As the kick-off track from his upcoming album “New Ways of Getting Old”, the song channels a potent mix of raw energy and urgency with a fabulous vintage rock swagger, making it one of Collins’s most compelling releases.
Listen here:
Opening with a gritty stomp and shout intensity reminiscent of The White Stripe’s “Seven Nation Army,” “New Way” announces itself boldly. The deep rhythms and razor-sharp guitar work lay the foundation for Collins’s commanding vocals, which lie between anthemic fervor and sharp-tongued storytelling.
The song builds with a more relentless drive, evoking that sense of unease and tension before shifting into an optimistic and defiant chorus.
It’s the lyrics of “New Way” where Collins turns his sharp observational eye toward the chaos of modern life with a narrative about cultural, political, and personal renewal. It is loosely inspired by the famous 1972 Stanley Kubrick film “A Clockwork Orange,” particularly the phrase “It’s part of the new way,” which Collins re-purposes as a cry for those seeking change:
“Early in the movie, Georgie (no relation!) attempts to wrest control of the ultra-violent gang of Droogs led by Alex (played by Malcolm MacDowell), telling him repeatedly that “It’s part of the new way.”
This line has always stuck with me, and ever since my student days, whenever I decided it was time to turn over a new leaf and start afresh, I would tell myself (in my best Droogie accent), “It’s part of the new way!”
With this phrase in mind, I set out to write the song last year, based on my views of the current scene and a killer guitar riff that had been kicking around in my head for years.”
This nod to Kubrick’s dystopian masterpiece adds another layer of dark intrigue to a song already steeped in urgency.
The influences here are clear, but Collins is re-inventing rather than just imitating. There’s a bit of Billy Joel’s rapid-fire phrasing, a nod to The Rolling Stones’ ragged swagger, and a Springsteen-esque build that swells towards something bigger than itself.
What makes “New Way” stand out, though, is how it feels urgent without being cynical. Yes, the world is rapidly changing, but Collins pushes forward and hammers home the idea that change is not just necessary; it’s inevitable.
It’s about taking the best of the past and using it to shape the future, proving that rock isn’t just about nostalgia. And in a world that feels stuck in a loop right now, maybe a new way is exactly what we need.
Find out more about George Collins on his Website
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