‘Vanity’ is the first proper release for Breaking Tradition, following on from the acoustic ‘Red Bank’ single in 2013, and it serves as the perfect introduction to them and their brand of heartfelt alternative rock. ‘Singing Arc’ is a suitably emotive introduction as it builds from a quiet and unassuming intro to a crescendo of guitar and drums, propelled along by strong vocal harmonies. It flows straight into ‘105’ which adds another layer of emotion and intensity to the well-crafted song-writing already on display.
The rest of ‘Vanity’ continues to go from strength to strength. ‘Lost Cause’ may be the shortest song on the EP by some distance but it still makes a big impression, as the melodic hooks and strong chorus show that Breaking Tradition are just as skilled at coming up with fast punchy rock songs as they are at writing longer, more expansive tracks.
Where ‘Vanity’ really steps up a gear is with ‘Red Bank’, the full band version of the single they released back in 2013. It’s not only the best song on the EP, but also one of the best of examples of the genre of recent years, packed full of tight guitar riffs and driving drumbeats. Undeniably a future fan-favourite, it’s as lyrically brilliant as it is musically, with Sean McCall’s vocals striking a perfect balance between vulnerability and being able to deliver a powerful chorus when it matters most. It really feels like the sort of raw yet confident effort that Taking Back Sunday filled ‘Tell All Your Friends’ with, it’s that good.
There are shades of the vocal interplay of Taking Back Sunday on ‘All My Days’ with its cry of “I never thought I’d be this close to you” and bands such as The Junior Varsity elsewhere, but ‘Vanity’ still feels wholly unique. ‘Souvenir’ and ‘Get What I Deserve’ are decent efforts despite the fact that they suffer from being in the shadow of the amazing ‘Red Bank’, but the love that Breaking Tradition have for what they do flows through every note of the EP. It can almost be guaranteed that everyone has gone through the situations that Breaking Tradition have written about, but here it sounds fresh and different.
Whilst there are some bands who struggle for their whole career to get everything to gel, whether through line-up or label changes or simply not having strong enough songs, Breaking Tradition have got it spot on with what is effectively their first release. It’s rare to find a début of any sort that delivers as consistently and as excitingly as this, but ‘Vanity’ is not only the brilliant exception to the rule but hopefully a sign of things to come.
CHRIS HILSON