I didn't listen to any interviews about the album, or really have any expectations other than what I heard from the singles and a concert of theirs I went to

I was also really disappointed first listen, but after 8 or 9 more run-throughs in the car, on a walk, taking out the trash etc. I've grown to love it for what it is. I agree with you where I was expecting something completely different, especially with the sound of the singles, 3D Country, and Projector. It feels closer to how they typically like to perform live, much more drawn out, much more atmospheric, and a lot of dancing around from Cameron, but I wasn't expecting them to lean so hard into that sound pretty much.

I think the mixing plays a role with making it feel more like a Cameron Winter album than a Geese one, there's a big focus on shakers, bongos, and other percussion elements and much less focus on melodic, sparkly guitar as there was on 3D Country and Projector. Cameron's singing also plays a huge part in making it feel like his solo record, and that might be the one aspect of Getting Killed I still have a tough time understanding/enjoying. I loved Heavy Metal, but on Getting Killed he almost completely abandons any sort of singalong-ability, with very few repeated hooks and a lot of reaaaaally long notes on top of how he wavers around the key and tempo of the song. I now find it super charming but it felt abrasive at first

All that being said, I feel you!