Under the moniker Vanilla Franco, Suffolk-based independent musician Joey Quinn gets raw and electrified through untamed Brit-rock in his debut album, Traction, which came out last Dec 1.
The album opens with “Building Pressure,” a track that dons smug swagger and bold assertiveness like the ultimate Brit-rockers. Quinn’s vocals command attention as they ride atop clanging drums and jamming guitars, setting the stage for the sonic journey ahead.
As Traction progresses, “Invisible Boys” showcases Quinn’s penchant for crafting intense sonic landscapes. Guitars blaze with a vengeance, while Quinn’s vocals swing with erratic wildness, delivering lyrics that delve into identity and self-awareness.
“James Bond” injects a hefty dose of psychedelia into the mix, with hypnotic guitar riffs and a lazy euphoric vocal delivery that pays homage to the iconic spy. The track oozes with a sense of smitten admiration for the suave character, capturing the essence of cool with its laid-back groove.
Traction‘s closing track, “Learn Something,” builds upon smacking drums and catchy melodies, culminating in a haze of reverbed vocals. The psychedelic textures provide the perfect backdrop for Quinn to question societal norms and think critically in his lyrics.
Supported by BBC Introducing Suffolk and Radio Reverb, Vanilla Franco has a heady good start. With this menacing debut album popping out of his sleeves, the artist turns out to be straight-out intriguing.
Looking ahead, Vanilla Franco is gearing up to release his new EP, Walden, on March 30. And you bet this one will be a whole new experience(spoiler alert: meditative!). So stay tuned with our one-man army!
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Review By: Naomi Joan