London-based indie rockers The Vaccines have easily made 2011 their year. A top 4 album, huge touring support slots, sell out headline tours, magazine covers, award nominations, and even being named as NME’s number one band of the weekend at the legendary Reading and Leeds festivals. Debut album ‘What Did You Expect from The Vaccines?’ has produced some new classics in the making, and its sixth and final single release is certainly following suit.
‘Wetsuit’ is typical Vaccines territory. A slow and quiet build up leading to a rhythmic and catchy chorus of epic proportions. Lead singer Justin Young’s vocals boast an almost eerie feel throughout the verses before the rousing marching drum beat kicks in for the addictive chorus. The Vaccines have an uncanny knack of drawing you into their songs, and ‘Wetsuit’ is definitely no different. There’s not a hope in hell that you could listen to this song more than once without picking up the lyrics and singing along to the chorus.
The Vaccines’ comparisons to The Strokes aren’t too far wrong, with their skill of managing to sound almost retro without losing that fresh new excitement. The band have the balance just right, and although would have some big footsteps to follow behind The Strokes, there’s no denying they’ve got the sound just right. ‘Wetsuit’ isn’t in the same pure rock and roll vein of ‘Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)’ or ‘Norgaard’, but it’s a song that encapsulates the talent of a band that can try a variety of genres without losing their “cool” edge.
‘Wetsuit’ isn’t just an awesome song; it comes with a couple of special trimmings. Firstly, the single is being released as a double A side with ‘Tiger Blood’ – a brand new song which was produced by Albert Hammond Jr (yes, he of Strokes fame) and debuted throughout The Vaccines live shows in August. Secondly, the video that accompanies ‘Wetsuit’ is an innovative concept made up solely of fan’s instagram images - these boys sure know how to get themselves noticed!
‘Wetsuit’ is a distinct stand-out track from ‘What Did You Expect from The Vaccines’, and is not only a great choice for a single, but is a fitting way to say farewell to The Vaccines’ debut. It’ll be up to the band now to record that awkward second album, but if ‘Wetsuit’ and its album contemporaries are any indication of The Vaccines’ embedded sound, then it doesn’t look like they’ll have anything to worry about.
‘Wetsuit’ is available to buy and download from 4th December. ‘What Did You Expect from The Vaccines?’ is available now.
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