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Last year saw the departure of co-founder and guitarist Freddie Cowan, and in 2016, co-founding drummer Pete Robertson also left. However, this change in lineup didn’t seem to affect the Vaccines’ musical style. With their sixth album, which includes former touring guitarist Timothy Lanham, the band stays true to their high-energy garage rock sound that has brought them success with five consecutive Top 5 albums. The first track, Sometimes, I Swear, is a spirited anthem of feeling alienated that one can imagine being shouted in the streets. Other songs like Lunar Eclipse, Sunkissed, and The Dreamer continue the trend of instantly catchy and bubbly pop songwriting that the band is known for from their first two albums. These tunes feature big, singable choruses that often come after quieter sections, all wrapped in a production sound that creates a wind tunnel effect.
Justin Young’s lyrics contain hidden depths that add a darker undertone to the euphoric sound. In Discount De Kooning (Last One Standing), amidst troubled times, a fresh perspective is offered on the familiar theme of “dance until the bomb drops”. Primitive Man addresses toxic masculinity, while Another Nightmare features a catchy chorus about a breakup, pills, and therapy. This time around, there are no ballads, but Love to Walk Away has a widescreen Eighties new wave vibe that could easily be included in The Breakfast Club soundtrack. While there are no groundbreaking innovations, it remains a solid and uplifting winner filled with memorable tunes.
Source: theguardian.com
