Photo: Sam McCabe
Info: Dublin alternative rock trio VLLNS released their debut EP, Sentiments, last month on the 21st of September, a little over 18 months after forming in February 2017.
There are numerous small parts to this EP that I really like, and when you put them all together you get a highly enjoyable jam experience. 'Prelude' sets the scene perfectly, putting you in the room with the band, and providing a strong hint at the blues-based undercurrent that will pepper Sentiments. 'Volatile Mind' is one such jam, while the production and recording is nice and clean, it has a definitive DIY character, it feels the right kind of raw, and to be quite honest, a certain romanticism emerges at this early stage of the EP.
What's not to like about next track 'Talons'? It's a lot of fun, from that spunky bass-line to the old school backing vocal, the grunge-tinged electric guitar, and the nonchalant devil may care delivery of the lyrics, it's relaxed yet has attitude, and is highly enjoyable. On 'Perth Moon' the band reveal their leanings for old school blues-rock with a strong hint of 90's grunge vocals.
The pièce de résistance is undoubtedly 'The Devil & The Deep Sea', the band's lead single, it's a rockabilly blues number, and it's catchy as hell. Again the bass is to the fore (incidentally the band don't have a bass player!), providing a wholesome clunky sound that rumbles in tandem with the snare-heavy percussion. Guitar credentials are written in stone at 3:09, a woozy riff that elevates the song and the listener to very good places, their self-admitted proclivity for The Black Keys coming through, more The Big Come Up than Turn Blue mind.
Sentiments is a great if understated opening collection of tracks from VLLNS, a band who come across as genuinely dedicated to their music, its simplicity and lack of frills lending weight to its authenticity. Anyone who has ever been in a guitar-based band will have the pants charmed off them by VLLNS.
Look / Like / Listen & Follow:
Website: https://vllns.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VLLNSOfficial/
Bandcamp: https://vllnsofficial.bandcamp.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VLLNS_Official
