Vacant Weekend - Something To Fill The Silence
Manchester-based indie trio, Vacant Weekend, are back with their highly anticipated EP “Something To Fill The Silence”, due to be released on 26th July.
The three members have been away for a year working on other musical endeavours before reuniting to bring fans some great music together. Originally from Cumbria, Vacant Weekend started as school friends who began to shape something real from their joint love of music in 2018.
The EP opens with ‘Funny Dad’ and highlights the expressive indie rock sound, offering a raw, heartfelt sentiment juxtaposed with an upbeat and sparkling summer hit. The song shows off their distinct mixture of jangly guitar melodies and spoken vocal style. Their experience is growing and so too is their musical style.
‘Funny Dad’ reveals an emotional and vulnerable side to the band's songwriting coupled with bright instrumentation. It's a song that will give you a ‘way back when summers were simple’ vibe, resulting in a song that can really connect with its audience.
‘The Windowsill’ is a stand-out track that was also listeners' last taste of what to expect as the single that preceded the release of “Something To Fill The Silence”. Incorporating the band's signature hooks amidst sharp guitars and vibrant instrumentation, the song steadily builds to its anthemic climax, continually evolving as it unfolds.
Talking about the song Vacant Weekend said, “I think inside us there was a youthful naivety in the belief that our problems wouldn’t follow us – that they only existed in a certain place, at a certain time in our lives. Eventually, the song took on another meaning about self-acceptance, ego death and experiencing life for as finite as it is.”
Previously the band have explained that their inspirations are rooted in disco, Motown, and, 2000s indie-rock acts like The Wombats. It's undeniable, however, that they have created their own sound. One that merges many genres into their interpretation of indie rock.
However, other inspirations can be heard on this EP like that of Mike Skinner's seminal work, ‘Original Pirate Material’. No more so than on the gritty representation of everyday life that is the song ‘Talk’. A fun one that will have you dancing whilst convincing you to face the challenges of contemporary life. The track stands out as a vivid portrayal of the raw experiences of young adulthood, energised by vibrant indie instrumentation.
The band's growth is evident as they skillfully combine introspective lyrics with buoyant melodies, creating a soundscape filled with depth and vitality. Vocalist Alex Beston’s embrace of vulnerability marks a pivotal moment, moving away from technical perfection to a voice that truly reflects their identity. As they put it, “I used to be the singer, now I just talk.”
The EP was recorded, produced, and mixed by Vacant Weekends’ own Isaac Dobson, and mastered by Tony Dixon at Cosmic Glue Studios in Stockport. Even in the short record of six songs, it is easy to hear who the band are with the collection of songs which embraced their essence wonderfully. It’s a must-listen for fans of something a bit different than the norm!
Cat Wiltshire
★★★★☆