“Faces”- The Vaniers: Review
As fans eagerly await the follow-up to 2022’s All Together Now!, The Vaniers have successfully put to bed any concerns about a potential sophomore slump with “Faces”, the first single from their upcoming second offering.
The quick and punchy anthem captures a punk-like brevity, clocking in at just over two minutes, making it the perfect song to start your workout with, or to throw on at maximum volume at your next lively gathering with friends.
In that brief window, the Toronto-based trio manages to bridge the old and the new, evoking memories of bygone giants Thin Lizzy and Oasis and fusing this sonic influence with a modern and accessible flavour. The aggressive, melodic staccato of lead singer Diego Paz pairs exquisitely with the harmonized guitar leads of Alex Iacobellis, and the track is propelled forward by Nick Donato’s incisive drumming. Its only problem is that it’s not long enough— and with no further releases until at least Q1 2024, fans of the Vaniers will have to get their fix in quick and repetitive doses.
Aware that perhaps the single may be too short for its own good, The Vaniers have supplemented it with their first music video, directed by Nic Mongillo. The video, which establishes powerful themes of non-conformity and the dangers of gluttonous excess, features singer Diego Paz and a frightening cast of anthropomorphic pigs, lizards, and rodents. From in-between brooding, cinematic shots of a captivating dinner party, viewers are treated to a high-octane performance from the band members themselves, free of any animalistic shackles.
It is expected that The Vaniers, who have been recording their second LP with producer Nixon Boyd (Hollerado), will release a slate of singles ahead of their second full-length release.
Between the fascinating video and the rollicking tune, The Vaniers have given fans of indie-alternative rock plenty to be excited about in 2024.
