Vectralux - The Subtle Extravaganza (Self-Released)

Atlanta’s indie rock quartet Vectralux are back with a follow up to their impressive 2021 debut album Each Morning and the Morning Thereafter. The new EP is entitled The Subtle Extravaganza and represents something of a departure point for the band. It’s both darker and leaner than their previous release which was comparatively wistful and bordering on twee at times. Here, one can easily make comparisons to bands like Guided By Voices and Pixies, and the five songs are produced more rawly, combining layers of heavy guitars with a deceptively fine pop melodicism.

The EP’s best tracks are those when the band are farthest removed from their debut. The stand out “Agonizing Reappraisal” is pure power pop and could have easily found a home on Bee Thousand, while “Dopamine” and “Liquid Animal” both have a dark, druggy atmosphere that borders on the quasi-jazzy at times. The fantastically lush “The Top” is gentle, pastoral psychedelia in the vein of XTC on albums like Skylarking, showcasing the band’s wide variety of styles at play. Vectralux have truly come into their own here, maturing as songwriters and hitting upon a sound all of their own. The Subtle Extravaganza is set to be released April 28th.