
As is typical for the genre, frontman Luke Deans dwells in the heaviness of themes such as depression, suicide, and mental illness. His candid lyrical approach and harsh vocal takes really make for an authentically uncomfortable listening experience. The make-or-break vocal distortion and general clipping that persists on most songs underscore the unease, but it also contrasts with the abundance of beautifully simple moments, such as the guitar outro on "Ambulance (I Am Nothing)." Many listeners will also be put off by the use of coarse language, but even that seems to serve the purposes of the explored themes. Agonizing may not be the most appealing adjective to describe a batch of songs, but maybe all of the aforementioned aspects are the most appropriate way to address such emotionally difficult topics.
More variety outside of bare electric guitar and vocals would have shown more potential for growth, but it is clear that obvious cohesion was of high importance for these tunes. That being said, Deans' subtle songwriting allows him to maneuver between catchiness, atonality, sadness, and even hope. In fact, the sudden turn towards a Christ-centered hope is what makes everything really come together. If there's one thing that Vagabond's I Don't Know What To Do Now accomplishes, it's reminding their newfound fanbase that the journey is not the end, and both can exist in their proper places.
Record Label: Blood & Ink Records
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