Sibora Sala
With songs that intertwine strong beats with smooth lyrics, Bryce Vine made his newest album debut earlier this month. Undoubtedly, his songs will be stuck in the minds of his listeners this summer.
Bryce Vine’s Background
Firstly, who is the artist behind what will surely prove to be one of this summer’s best albums?
Vine is an artist that works music to its highest potential. With more than two million streams on his platforms, Vine proves that he knows how to make music that people love. This isn’t luck, nor a one hit wonder. Through his sharp lyricism, catchy tunes inspired by his development in Los Angeles and New York, Motel California is a testament to his love for music, and to his no rules, passionate approach to music.
“It takes a good musical knowledge to be able to inspire a specific time and place in the listener, and Vine succeeds at taking you through a Californian summer in all 22 minutes of the album.”
Love meets desire and the fluctuating mess of emotions that come with being young and free, set in the backdrop of modern America. Vine welcomes us to a world where time passes flying around us, yet as he says himself on ‘Vine St.’, we “got nothing but time”.
Each song gives us a glimpse into the carefully curated vibe of a summer ready to serve us, which is one of the many strong points of this album. Vine fills us with the hope of making memories that will last a lifetime, no matter how short they may be, or their nature. Vine sings of stories, rather than just making a collection of songs, taking us through the highs and lows of youth and the desire to feel everything to its maximum potential.
Bryce Vine Doesn’t Restrict Himself Thematically
Vine refuses to lock himself down in one singular vibe or theme.
A favourite moment is on ‘Rocky Mountain’, which definitely ranks in the top three. The song is a collaboration featuring Brittney Spencer that makes you feel the bittersweet nature of a love lost. The guitar and vocals carry the beautiful lyrics through all two minutes and 35 seconds of the song.
“Already possessing experience with the entertainment world, this album only proves he has potential to reach even higher than he already has.”
“Second chances burn like ashes in the snow” is perhaps one of the most scathing lyrics in the album, and it manages to create a beautiful image in the head of any listener. What has it harder to survive the night, a fire that burns to its end as it snows or a second chance? Vine leaves the answer for you to find out as you listen.
Vine’s big focus is electric tunes, such as a strong guitar and bass line, often accompanied by a steady drumming. This choice never becomes mundane or overdone. Making songs that take advantage of a band-like sound (referring to the heightened use of guitar, bass and drums) is a great idea for making an album that wants to take you along a summer filled with the rush of being young and free.
“If this album came in the form of an old music tape, I wouldn’t regret buying an old car simply to drive with my windows open as I listened to it.”
“If you’re back in California, I’ll be right there” is what he sings on ‘RIGHT THERE’. He makes you agree, even if you’re thousands of miles away from the country. It takes a good musical knowledge to be able to inspire a specific time and place in the listener, and Vine succeeds at taking you through a Californian summer in all 22 minutes of the album.
Bryce Vine Masters Catchy Tunes
You can listen to Vine’s music on repeat without getting bored. The songs remain stuck in the back of your mind the same way he sings of memories in ‘Bittersweet Symphony’. He might not want to press rewind on the memories, but you will disagree when it comes to rewinding the song.
Vine puts on a show throughout the album, which makes you feel as if just you and him are cruising down Vine St. with nothing but time. If this album came in the form of an old music tape, I wouldn’t regret buying an old car simply to drive with my windows open as I listened to it.
Overall, this album is a discovery worth making. Vine’s raspy voice makes the catchy tunes play along with him instead of getting lost in them.
Already possessing experience with the entertainment world, this album only proves he has potential to reach even higher than he already has. Whether you are a fan of indie music or not, Motel California is a debut you won’t want to miss.
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Featured image courtesy of Matthew Smith on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
