Beyond The Rubicon returns this summer with their new EP Vision II, released on August 15, 2025, marking the second chapter in their ambitious Awakening–Vision–Rebirth trilogy. Formed by Dutch songwriter Paul Mahieu and UK musician Paul Griggs, the duo has carved out a niche blending pop, Americana, and rock with a distinctly 70s/80s-inspired flavor. Recorded mainly at 6Db Studios in York with producer Dave Boothroyd, the EP carries forward the band’s “no keyboards” ethos, keeping the sound stripped to its essentials—guitars, voices, and drums—while still leaving space for cinematic flourishes like the haunting ebow. With drummer Joe Montague anchoring the rhythm section and mastering by Sam Proctor, the record reinvents itself.
The opener “Everywhere” bursts with joy from the first beat, carried by euphoric vocals that soar over fuzzy guitar riffs and bustling drums. What’s striking is how the dual voices intertwine—one light and bright, the other deeper and grounded—adding layers of warmth and grit to the chorus. By the bridge, the interplay of timbres creates a call-and-response effect that gives the track its hooky charm.
Then comes “I Surrender,” a tender, stripped-back ballad built on sparkling acoustic guitar strums. Here, the thick, huskier voice takes the lead, steady and vulnerable, while the higher voice floats alongside like a shadow of longing. Together, they deliver the line “I surrender to the battle for my heart” with such understated grace.
Closing things out, “One More Time – Live” brings the barroom storytelling vibe full circle. With its foot-tapping beat and jaunty guitar rhythm, it captures the bittersweet humor of a drunk man begging for another song. The addition of a female harmony gives it an almost campfire-sing-along feel, and when the refrain “I know there will be another time” hits, you can practically hear a crowd joining in.
Altogether, Vision II doesn’t just extend Beyond The Rubicon’s story proves that timeless songwriting still has a pulse.
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Review by: Naomi Joan