Lemonboy, the musical project from Adam Greczkowski, is an emotionally charged and intimate exploration of life’s rawest moments, the ups and downs of self-discovery, and the relationships that carry us through it all. Released on December 13, 2024, the self-titled album Lemonboy is a beautiful balance of vulnerability and resilience. With 10 tracks that span themes of kindness, loss, change, and queer joy, the album paints a portrait of an artist finding his voice and embracing the support of a chosen family along the way.
For Greczkowski, the journey to becoming Lemonboy wasn’t immediate. After years of keeping his music close to his chest, he found the courage to pursue his passion, inspired by his community and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C., a place where he had previously rediscovered his love for songwriting. It was here that he decided to weave together his experiences and the voices of his closest friends, blending them into a collective sound of love, authenticity, and musical storytelling.
The opening track, “Ribbons,” sets the tone for the album’s thematic heart—identity, hesitation, and the quiet bonds that hold us in place even when we crave change. Greczkowski wrote “Ribbons” when he was around 18, capturing the moment of fear and self-doubt that often precedes personal growth. The song’s hauntingly gentle rhythm and introspective lyrics reflect how sometimes, the things that hold us back from moving forward are not sharp and obvious obstacles, but soft, invisible threads. In this early track, the listener is invited into a vulnerable space where fear and hope intertwine.
“My Mind Is Always Drifting Back To You,” featuring contributions from Emily Zornado, ROMXN, and Lady Queen Paradise, marks a beautiful shift in the album’s journey. It’s a celebration of collaboration, a thread that runs through the entire project. This a cappella track is about how the presence of another person can linger long after they’ve gone—how their influence on our thoughts and perceptions remains impossible to ignore. Greczkowski’s intimate lyricism is amplified by the voices of his closest creative partners, each lending their own unique perspective to the song’s profound sense of loss and longing.
“Worse,” the third track, is raw in its exploration of heartbreak and self-doubt. Written during a particularly difficult period, it captures the feeling of expecting the worst outcome in a relationship, even before it begins to unravel. With just a baritone ukulele and Greczkowski’s weary yet tender voice, the track is both stripped back and deeply emotional. Its simplicity makes the feelings of abandonment and vulnerability all the more resonant, speaking directly to anyone who has feared the loss of something beautiful before it’s even had the chance to fully blossom.
In stark contrast, “Until Now” is a joyous celebration of queer love and the transformation that comes with it. The track captures the messy, imperfect beauty of a new relationship, where growth happens in small, seemingly insignificant moments that gradually rewrite our personal narratives. It’s a love song for anyone who’s ever dared to believe that love can be both tender and transformative, especially when it defies conventions. The vulnerability in the recording process only adds to the vibrancy of the track, making it feel like a bright, heartfelt anthem for queer joy.
“Autopilot” follows, and it may be the emotional core of the album. The track speaks to the disorienting void left by heartbreak, as everyday routines—like making coffee for someone or simply sitting in silence together—become reminders of loss. It’s a poignant reflection on the quiet devastation of what’s been lost and the gradual process of adjusting to life without it. Greczkowski’s emotional honesty shines through in this track, as he sings about the rhythms that once felt automatic now disrupted, forcing him to confront the absence in his life.
“Everyone Has Those Nights” captures the loneliness of dark, uncertain times—a feeling all too familiar in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The track balances despair with the hope that things will eventually get better. It reminds us that moments of anxiety and insecurity are just as valid as the moments of healing that follow. Recorded with the support of longtime friends Alyson Fontaine and Anne Fowler, this song is a testament to the deep connections that can help us through the hardest of times, even when the future feels uncertain.
In “Catch Me If You Can,” Greczkowski celebrates the quiet magic of rare and unexpected connections. It’s a playful song about the unspoken understanding that exists between people, where a smile or laugh can create a whole world of its own. The track’s lighthearted tone contrasts with the emotional weight of some of the other songs, yet it’s no less profound in its exploration of the joy found in simple, shared moments. Greczkowski’s love for musical theater shines through here, as he leans into the spirit of collaboration and performance to create a song full of joy and camaraderie.
“Morning View” is a tender ode to the quiet beauty of waking up next to someone who feels too good to be true. The track builds layer by layer, its harmonies growing in number to mirror the growing sense of wonder at the heart of the song. Featuring the voices of Greczkowski’s friends from the Gay Men’s Chorus, the track is a reflection of the love and support he’s received from his community, a reminder that no matter how isolated we may feel, there is always love waiting for us.
“Bright,” the penultimate track, is a song about rejecting judgment and embracing kindness—values that were instilled in Greczkowski during his time at Catholic school, even as he struggled with the judgment he faced as a queer person. The song is a call to action, urging listeners to carry kindness forward in a world that can often feel hostile. It’s a promise to make the world brighter through love, and it serves as both a personal and collective anthem for anyone striving to make the world a more compassionate place.
Finally, the title track, “Lemonboy,” closes the album on a note of self-acceptance. The song is about embracing imperfection and learning to love oneself despite the mistakes and struggles. It’s a fitting conclusion to an album that has explored the complexities of identity, growth, and connection. The song ties together the album’s themes, offering a reminder that we are all works in progress, and it’s okay to be human.
Lemonboy’s debut album is a heartfelt journey of self-discovery, love, and healing. With its mix of vulnerability, raw emotion, and hopeful optimism, it’s a reminder that we don’t have to go through life alone. Through music, we can find solace in our shared experiences, and in the connections that help us become our truest selves.
