As a solo artist, American singer Gerard Way has released one studio album, ten singles, and one promotional single. He started his solo career after the disbandment of his previous band, My Chemical Romance, in 2013.
His debut album, Hesitant Alien, was released on September 29, 2014. The album drew influence from Britpop and shoegaze music, and bands such as Pulp, Blur, David Bowie, Morrissey and Pixies. Two singles from the record were released: "No Shows" and "Millions". He also released "Action Cat" digitally as a promotional single prior to the album's release. Hesitant Alien charted in multiple countries, reaching number 14 on the UK Albums Chart and number 16 on the Billboard 200. In 2016, he released the songs "Pinkish" and "Don't Try", which he described as the end of the promotional campaign for Hesitant Alien.
Later in 2016, Way and My Chemical Romance bandmate Ray Toro wrote and recorded the song "Into the Cave We Wander", which was initially released exclusively on a cassette given away at the 2016 New York Comic Con before receiving an extended release in 2017. In 2018, Way released three singles, starting with "Baby You're a Haunted House" in October, which has been described as power pop and punk rock. It reached number 34 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. The indie rock track "Getting Down the Germs" followed in November, which was also written with Toro. "Dasher", a Christmas song featuring Lydia Night, was released in December.
In February 2019, The Umbrella Academy, a television show based on Way's comic book series The Umbrella Academy, premiered on Netflix. For the trailer of its first season, Way and Toro recorded a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "A Hazy Shade of Winter" (1966). Way and Toro also recorded a cover of the Turtles single "Happy Together", which is used in the show. My Chemical Romance reunited in December of that same year. In 2020, Way collaborated with Judith Hill for "Here Comes the End", written for The Umbrella Academy's second season. He also released four unfinished songs under the collective title of Distraction or Despair. Outside of his main discography, Way has also appeared on singles released by Deadmau5, Ibaraki, and Frozen Soul.
Albums Studio albums + List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions Title Details Peak chart positionsUSAUSIRENZSCOUK Hesitant Alien Released: September 29, 2014 Label: Reprise Formats: CD, digital download 16 29 17 37 13 14
Singles As lead artist + List of singles with a selection of chart positions Title Year Peak chart positions AlbumUSRock/AltMEXAir SCO "No Shows" 2014 — 45 — Hesitant Alien "Millions" — — — "Pinkish" / "Don't Try" 2016 — — — rowspan="8" "Into the Cave We Wander" — — — "Baby You're a Haunted House" 2018 34 — — "Getting Down the Germs" — — — "Dasher" — — — "A Hazy Shade of Winter" 2019 — — 76 "Happy Together" — — — "Here Comes the End" 2020 — — — "—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released.
Promotional singles + TitleYearAlbum "Action Cat"2014Hesitant Alien
As featured artist + List of singles with a selection of chart positions Title Year Peak chart positions AlbumUSDance Air CANUS DanceUKJPN US DigCAN DigBEL "Professional Griefers" 2012 22 66 3081 77135274Album Title Goes Here "Rōnin" 2022————————Rashomon "No Place of Warmth" 2026————————No Place of Warmth
Music videos Title Year Director(s) "No Shows" 2014 Jennifer Juniper Stratford "Millions"
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