Bradley Simpson’s debut ‘The Panic Years’ breaks genre boundaries

British band The Vamps have been successful ever since their first release, Meet The Vamps, in 2014. Since then, they have gone from strength to strength, becoming the first band to headline London’s O2 Arena five years in a row. The Vamps recently celebrated their tenth anniversary with an album release and a ten-year anniversary tour.

As the lead singer of The Vamps, Bradley Simpson is no stranger to the spotlight, but this has new meaning concerning his debut solo album, The Panic Years. Along with this, Simpson will embark on his biggest UK tour to date.

Simpson’s debut album, The Panic Years, demonstrates his growth as an artist as he experiments with a new sound on this solo venture. The album opens with the first single he released, ‘Cry at the Moon’, which effectively embodies this new sound. The release of this single generated much excitement as to the direction of The Panic Years, as Simpson seemed to be forging an identity separate from that of the boyband. ‘Cry at the Moon’ has indie-rock undertones, with influences from 80s synth and Americana that are also reflected throughout the album, for instance in ‘Always Like This’.

The album as a whole lends itself to live performance, particularly the track ‘Carpet Burn’

The album as a whole lends itself to live performance, particularly the track ‘Carpet Burn’ with its use of adlibs that would allow for audience involvement – this will be demonstrated as Simpson takes on the UK tour. ‘Carpet Burn’ also has one of the strongest bridges of the album, with drums leading into a crescendo of layered vocals and guitar. Simpson’s music is elevated by his narrative storytelling. For example, this song tells the story of meeting someone for the first time and wishing that you had met them earlier, as the chorus repeats, “It gets me down that I didn’t know you before we met”.

Simpson, as well as making use of indie-rock sounds, brings the addictive pop melodies of previous Vamps releases into The Panic Years. The upbeat and catchy ‘Daisies’ adds a fun lightness to the album. It is the perfect song for the summer.

One of my personal favourites from The Panic Years is ‘Holy Grail’, a love song that promises commitment to someone for years to come. The lyrics provide an ode to this person, with the line, “You turn wherever into home”. The music crescendos towards the end of the song with an explosion of drums and electric guitar. The 80s rock and psychedelia influences behind this song are clear to see.

With ‘Almost’, Simpson reflects on his personal life, supposedly drawing on past relationship experiences that he usually keeps private. He reflects on the regret that comes with a breakup in the line “You were almost the best thing that happened to me”. In this song, Simpson exhibits his vocal talents by employing beautiful harmonies and singing in a low register, giving this song a melancholic tone that contrasts with the upbeat and higher-pitched songs of the album.

The Vamps fans will probably be most intrigued (or relieved!) by the track entitled ‘The Band’s Not Breaking Up’

The Vamps fans will probably be most intrigued (or relieved!) by the track entitled ‘The Band’s Not Breaking Up’. Simpson uses the band as a response to a breakup, insisting that the band is not breaking up, but the relationship is. It is clear how much fondness Simpson has for his fellow bandmates, affectionately referring to them as “brothers in arms” and “the boys”. Simpson is in a unique situation in that he is venturing on a solo career, while still being part of a successful band and having that fanbase behind him – he maintains his connection to The Vamps.

The album closes out with the titular track, ‘The Panic Years’, reflecting on his experience of being in his twenties by drawing upon youth and the things you learn about love and your identity as you grow up. By closing the album with this song, Simpson portrays the thematic importance of these years to the album as a whole.

The Panic Years consistently breaks genre boundaries, blurring indie-rock acoustics with pop production and catchy lyrics. It is definitely worth a listen.

Recommended listening: ‘Cry at the Moon’, ‘Holy Grail’, ‘The Band’s Not Breaking Up’

★★★★