Velvet Sun – Empire

“Empire” is the latest release by Velvet Sun, an outstanding American band based in North Miami Beach, Florida. Led by Scott Weinkle, a principal songwriter, vocalist, guitar player, and drummer, this band also includes Weinkle’s longtime collaborators Eric Gould on keyboards and Marcel Salas on bass. Consisting of four incredible compositions, “Empire” is Velvet Sun’s brand-new extended play release, heavily promoted by the introductory single called “Wait.” Sonically, the band combines many different but complementary music genres. Perhaps indie rock comes to mind first, but you’ll notice how some of the finest properties borrowed from post-punk, shoegaze, and synth rock found their way into this sonic equation. The band continuously levitates between the modern sound that meets all the trends in modern music production yet infuses these songs with a subtle touch of nostalgia, paying homage to the late seventies, eighties, and nineties music. Velvet Sun also uses all those additional sonic ingredients as more than necessary enhancements to elevate the entire EP to new heights while they remain solely dedicated to the primary sonic direction. These experimentations with many different approaches and complementary music genres showcase their tremendous dedication to the craft. Therefore, it’s one of those releases that will not only resonate with indie, post-punk, and shoegaze fans but with anyone who appreciates wisely assembled and expertly performed music.

This epic sonic journey commences with “Empire,” an exceptional title track that prepares listeners for what they might expect from the remainder of this material. Marvelous vocal harmonies, raw, abrasive, gritty yet melodic guitar works, intricate, warm-sounding basslines, and excellent rhythmic patterns that keep everything in line resonate throughout the entire track. It’s dark, and abrasive yet melodic, harmonious, detailed, showcasing all the dedication to the craft of these three musicians. “Wait” is coming up next with its calm, soothing, relaxing, ethereal ambiance. The cleverly assembled chord progressions resonate on one side while the other shines with ear-appealing accentuations. These interplays between rhythm and lead guitars complement vocals while creating a perfect backdrop that immediately wraps around your ears and refuses to let go. The rich, deep, heavy, detailed low-ends provide more than necessary heaviness, clarity, and depth while the expertly and tastefully assembled beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics dictate groove and tempo. It’s such a perfect track that will immediately resonate with the crowd. “Star” brings all those vital qualities of alternative, shoegaze, and indie music to the table, with an entire collection of raw, abrasive, gritty guitar works. You’ll notice how themes, melodies, and harmonies collide with colossal riffs throughout the entire album. This energetic composition exemplifies how Vital Sun switches from calm and moderate to more energetic and powerful songs with such ease. “Empire” EP closes with “Wonder,” another fine piece of sonic artistry that showcases Scott Weinkle’s brilliance, experience, knowledge, skills, creativity, and talent. It’s a moderate, heavy, and powerful composition that expertly embraces fundamental elements of shoegaze, post-punk, alternative, and indie music. This clever balance between calmness and aggression, melody and grittiness, slow beats and detailed accentuations makes Vital Sun one of the greatest contemporary indie rock bands.

“Empire” carries everything you ever needed from indie rock music. Beautiful vocal harmonies, catchy guitar and synth works, intricate basslines, and marvelous drumming performance are just some of the qualities included along the way, but you’ll also notice how Vital Sun thought about arrangements. Each composition arrives with a perfect structure, garnered with many profoundly detailed segments, brilliant ideas, and superb musicians. They poured heart and soul, experience, knowledge, and skill into this material, resulting in one of the best indie rock EPs you’ll hear this year. Therefore, head to your favorite streaming platform and blast this exceptional release loud. Don’t miss it!