Single Review: Vault 51 – Kid EP

Atlanta’s alternative rock quintet, Vault 51, were previously signed to Roadrunner Records but now the group has taken matters into their own hands with the release of their brand new six track EP, Kid, that is due to be released today, July 20th 2017. Over the years the band have faced many obstacles that would have forced many to disband and move on, instead Vault 51 chose to persevere and press on with what they set out to accomplish, with the Kid EP being the first step in achieving their goals.

 

Thirty Six builds up your expectations with a muted introduction that builds into some crunching atmospheric melodic alt rock, the massive hooks you’d expect are juxtaposed against a melodic undertone, and this marks an impressive beginning to the Kid EP. Sadly from this point Vault 51 slip into more familiar alt rock territory with We Don’t Care, Magnolia and Wildfire, until we get to Mourning View, a dark brooding number that stops the Kid EP becoming a repetitive and predictable exercise, and finally things are brought to a close with an anthemic radio friendly rocker in the shape of Sincerely Me.

 

The majority of the Kid EP doesn’t bring anything new to the table, for me it’s when they deviate from the alt rock standards that things become more interesting, the songs that offer a more atmospheric feel or play different styles off against each other are where Vault 51‘s strengths lie, and they seem to be under utilised on this EP. Vault 51 are a band who have ridden with the punches the music industry have dealt them, and they have come back all the stronger for it, but to truly deal a knockout punch they need to ensure they avoid being another predictable heavyweight that ends up claiming that they could have been a contender.

 

The Kid EP can be ordered via all major digital retailers including Spotify and Apple Music

 

Vault 51‘s website can be found here