Review by Dom Vigil
Vacationer pick up right where they left off on their new album, Mindset. Four years removed from their last release, Relief, and the band, fronted by mastermind Kenny Vasoli, haven’t missed a beat. In fact, Mindset hosts a little bit of everything that fans fell in love with to begin with – dreamy vocals, warm instrumentals and a retro, hazy tone – but also finds Vacationer stepping out of their comfort zone more than ever. It’s the perfect natural progression and arrives just in time for summer.
The different layers, textures and tones on Mindset make for a very lush and beautiful listen, transporting you to a different world with the mellow opener, “Entrance,” and weaving a stunning story until the very end. The elaborate, complex and retro soundscape is easily one of the strongest aspects of Mindset, too. Although comprised of countless layers, samples and live instruments, the album never feels too complex, muddy or overwhelming. Instead, each and every sound serves a purpose, and no two songs sound the same.
With each coming track, Mindset is sure to put you in a good place – a positive mindset, so to speak. Each and every song is warm and welcoming, from the mellow “Late Bloomer” to the fuzzy “Turning.” The album’s lead single, “Magnetism” sets the tone for the songs to follow, spearheaded by an upbeat chorus and catchy synth, while the summery “Being Here” sounds and feels like lounging on the beach.
The best part about Mindset is that, while it is a great follow-up to Relief, it never feels redundant. Although some songs certainly fall in line with Vacationer’s previous material, the majority of the album finds the band really coming out of their shell and experimenting with new sounds. The dreamy “Hallucinations” stands out thanks to its more simplistic sound while “Romance” builds upon layer after lush layer for a very warm sound. Then there’s the synth driven “Blue Dreaming,” which is easily the most upbeat and poppy song on the album.
There’s truly a little something for everyone on Mindset, you just need to listen for it. This album really deserves your full attention (preferably with some good headphones or speakers) to really appreciate everything that has gone into it. Each little sound, layer, sample and instrument works together to create an incredibly lush and warm release. Combined with Vasoli’s stunning and soothing vocals, Mindset is the perfect album to lull you into relaxation and put you in a good mood.
LISTEN TO: “Magnetism” “Hallucinations” or “Blue Dreaming”
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