Veps – ‘Dedicated To’ album review: unfulfilled potential
THE SKINNY: Formed when the band members were just 14 years old, Veps have spent the past six years carving out a sound and space for themselves in the industry that most teenagers can only dream of. This is evidently down to hard work, with Veps already sitting on two studio albums – their latest being the compact Dedicated To.
At 36 minutes long and made up of 11 songs, the album is an accessible collection of indie/pop/rock hybrids, drawing on 1990s alternative and 2010s indie pop rock, clearly blending the era they grew up in with the musically illustrious decade that came before them. There’s a DIY sensibility at play here, with the guitars often sounding a little fuzzy. That’s not to say the album sounds rough around the edges; there’s obvious technical proficiency present, and the vocals are all performed with impressive strength and power.
However, the record falls flat in delivering the band’s full potential, often failing to do enough with the skills they clearly possess. Everything is kept rather safe, with several songs blending into each other, with only a few emerging as true standouts. This isn’t a bad album by any means, but it’s not the most memorable. Sometimes, the riffs and choruses get a little repetitive, although there are many lovely melodies to be found.
Thus, if you are really into indie pop with a more abrasive edge, you’ll most likely enjoy Dedicated To. If you’re looking for something with a bit more bite and experimentalism, Veps might not do enough to captivate you for a whole album’s length of time. The band have demonstrated plenty of talent with the album, but as they continue to grow as musicians, they’ll surely produce something even greater in the future.
For fans of: Cream cheese bagels and 1990s office equipment.
A concluding comment from my boyfriend: “This album has as much originality as a one-liner from a ’90s Rob Schneider movie.”
Dedicated To track-by-track:
Release Date: June 14th | Producer: Marcus Forsgren | Label: Miktam Records
‘Break and Entry’: The addition of piano within this track gives it a slight emotional edge, as does the quiet whistling at the end. The vocal melodies fit in well, making it one of the album’s best songs. [3.5/5]
‘Say What?’: The vocals on this track are the kind you’d usually find in a mainstream pop song – more soulful than your average indie pop track. Evoking a feeling of the late ‘90s or early ‘00s, the song is complete with references to this time period. [3/5]
‘The Ceiling Painter’: Opening with a sparse riff behind rather intimate vocals, the song builds into something louder, with an air of nostalgia present, but it doesn’t really go anywhere too exciting. [2.5/5]
‘Apple Trees’: This is a more gentle number, although the garage-esque guitars pick up at certain points, adding nice texture. [3/5]
‘For Thirsty Dogs’: The album now segues into something more energetic and festival-ready, with powerful vocals taking centre stage. [3/5]
‘So Speak’: Led by darker, almost threatening guitars, the song is a defiant number with a catchy chorus and a prominent bassline keeping everything afloat. [3.5/5]
‘Yellow Bagged Man’: Slightly forgettable, the song meanders along until it begins to experiment with its pace in the final quarter, offering up some potential that could’ve been pushed further. [2.5/5]
‘Greetings From Peru’: Perhaps the best song on the album, buoyed by a strong bassline and an anthemic chorus. [3.5/5]
‘A Siren’s Song’: Like ‘Yellow Bagged Man’, this track doesn’t gain much interest until the end, when screams take over, which tease a more aggressive sound that the band really suits. [3/5]
‘It’s Killing My Darling’: Stop and start riffs provide an instrumental palette that’s rather captivating, and the fuzziness that underlies the chorus is really nice, too. [3/5]
‘Thanks To You’: Closing the album is ‘Thanks To You’, an upbeat cut that sees the band show their gratitude for unnamed subjects, switching out vocalists to create a communal and cheery atmosphere, which makes for the perfect end. [3.5/5]
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out New Music Newsletter
All the latest New Music from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.