Vibrant Heels- Driven
Andrew Hollis
From the Canadian alternative quartet comes the aptly titled release ‘Driven’. This album wastes no time with the first song ‘Royal Mud’ kicking it off with crazed, swirly, wah pedal fuelled overdriven guitar that sets the tone for how energetic and mental the rest of this record is going to be. In this tune the listener is bombarded with an array of bouncy and thrashy riffs, alternating sections of heavy punky-ish verses with harsh vocals and lighter, catchy choruses that when put together perfectly sum up the band’s sound. This is the perfect choice for a first track as it is energetic and gets the listener pumped but also does the important job of pinpointing the band’s sound and influences.
The second track ‘Soak It Up’ is a more melodic, easy-going addition to the record, with some of the riffs almost having a surfer-rock kind of vibe. This song showcases a more alternative/indie vibe to the band that was hinted at but not fully explored in the previous song. Despite it featuring some heavy riffs and screaming vocals I would say its still one of the more radio-friendly, feel-good tracks of the album that is just perfect for blasting on the stereo on a trip to the beach or somewhere equally as nice.
After the lighter, previous track, the listener is thrust back into a more thrashy sound with ‘Running Girls’. This song has some seriously catchy guitar work that you can’t help but groove along to and just when you thought it couldn’t get better the energy is all but intensified by the playfully melodic hook in the chorus.
Next comes the self-titled song ‘Vibrant Heels’ which happens to be the longest and slowest in the album. For this one the guys obviously decided to take a step back and show their diversity by creating a song with a chiller vibe, opposite to the in-your-face energetic entries seen before. Despite having some heavier screaming sections, the song retains its relaxed vibe, letting the listener take a breather amidst all the chaos in this album.
Next up is another slower number in the form of ‘Trick It’. This song features some well thought out guitar layers that build up nicely in certain sections. Overall this track features a somewhat similar vibe to the previous one but takes a turn towards a heavier direction with some interesting and progressive riffs and unusual sound effects probably making this song the most out-of-the box in the album.
‘Sun Goddess’ starts off with what is probably my favourite guitar riff of the album, crazy disorienting tapping that builds up into the driving and energetic first verse that we were all waiting for after the last two slower songs. This song is very reminiscent of the first track of the album, even bringing out the wah pedal again, and just like the first song it features that pull-push dynamic between heavier sections and lighter melodic choruses.
The last track of the album ‘Bad Milk’ kicks off with a slightly eerie and dissonant soundscape but soon jumps into some full-on funk madness demonstrating one last time the diversity and range of influences this band has. It slows down and fades out to the end of the album, finishing ‘Driven’ not with a bang but with a whisper.
Overall, I would say this record is like a big melting pot of ingredients, with the base being something basic but tasty, in this case alternative rock/metal and then Vibrant Heels added each and every ingredient they could find around the house to create this crazy kaleidoscope of genres fuelled with groove, attitude and catchiness to deliver in the form of ‘Driven’.
