The accumulation of creating music all over the world has resulted in something quite magnificent. British singer songwriter, Ed Vallance has produced something rather memorable, with the release of, ‘Volcano.’ The London born musician, now residing in Brooklyn, has brought forth his amazing debut EP, enlisting beautiful harmonies and spine tingling vocals. It’s nice to hear something different, something so fresh and raw.b‘Volcano’ is the antidote to the missing link in the music industry; it is a delivery of contemporary music, intertwined with elegance.
It is clear that Vallance has been widely influenced by great British rock music, ranging from; The Cure to The Smiths. However, there is also evidence of influence through his travels; the indie Americanised rock sound has clearly worked its way into ‘Volcano’. This is an album that gets you thinking, it has so many layers and unusual sounds that you can’t help but want to hear more.
The album opens with ‘Crystalline’, it’s smooth and crisp; like an awakening. It is the standout track on the entire album, and portrays the complexity and diverseness that Vallance is capable of producing. The track is upbeat and it is brought to life, as it gets you into motion; it’s a love song.
‘Seabird’ is a track that introduces a Spanish sound, very different to the rest of the album, but pushes into Vallance’s mellow vocals. It is a track that is slow, and easy to listen to, beautiful in fact. ‘Black & White Light’, a track very similar to that of Finnish band, HIM. It is mysterious, and it somehow, gets your feet moving – push your speakers up another notch and get moving!
Flowing into ‘Cowboys & Indians’, it is like another space age, the sound effects used are fantastic. The dark and mysterious feel approaches yet again, and it is as if you are there with the music.
‘Volcano’, the album title; the track dominated by this country melodic voice. It’s a craft of melodies, and luscious vocals combined together. The echoes and the flanger effects used during this track, make it an unusual track, a ravishing track. ‘South Circular’ and ‘Dear Misfortune’ are two tracks, which have been prominently influenced by UK band, The Cure. They both have that old British rock sound, fresh, raw and full of excitement.
Now, as the album is coming up to its finale, the songs appear darker.
‘Into The Forest Fire’ is smooth, but it seeps a type of cold and mysterious feel. Vallance creates motion throughout this track; it isn’t just a sound, but a type of being. The music is an artwork of sounds jumbled together, to create this out of body sound. The penultimate track, ‘Bookish’ express only Vallance’s vocals, backed with the space sound effects. It is fast, but still mysterious – like a trip to a haunted building, you can picture the stairs and dust as the track unfolds. Closing the album, ‘Famous Last Words’, creates a solid and demanding end. It is heavy and almost haunting; a style that rectifies the album on a whole. His voice is more than just something passing in the wind; it is what creates the wind, so much power, and soul behind a delicate voice. It is an album that will win you over by the first listen; his soft, delicate voice appears to whisper to you. You can’t help but fall in love with ‘volcano’, over, and over again.
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