EP Review: Somewhere on This Timeline by New Vision
Hudson Valley mainstays New Vision have never confined their sound and lyricism to a particular box, and on the band’s latest EP, Somewhere on This Timeline, this outspoken objective holds true. The trio brings sonic twists and turns to classic indie and emo influences for a summer soundtrack that’ll keep you on your toes.
The lyricism on the EP mixes the bitter with a dash of sweet, showcasing joys alongside mundanities and frustrations of everyday life. The unexpectedly warm “Everlasting” opens the 6-track project with easily relatable lyrics about finding a strong sense of comfort and safety within another person, whether that be a friend or partner. It starts as an unsuspecting, driving indie track, but suddenly hits harder with vulnerable intensity in all facets of the song. “Loss of Soul,” one of the pre-released singles, zeroes in on the feeling of monotony that creeps up on us while going through the motions each day. The ever-catchy track feels nostalgic, recalling gang vocals and amped-up instrumentation reminiscent of mid 2010’s pop-punk. The comparison is not a bad one by any means; the dynamic instrumentation and changes in energy throughout still bring a fresh take to a classic sound.
There’s plenty of moments on the EP that are easily worthy of a sing-along, but nothing hits in the way “Chokehold” does. The track pulls from a very melodic hardcore sound, veering into the territory of a record like Turnstile’s Glow On. A two and a half minute ripper, this one takes listeners by a welcome surprise with a sonic urgency and feeling of mental suffocation. Another standout moment is the single “Forfeit,” which starts with a more danceable energy that slowly pivots into heavier instrumentation. The drums are turned up to level 10 for a swinging punch through the track’s second half.
Clocking in at just 15 minutes, Somewhere on This Timeline is an energetic and even more adventurous follow-up to the sounds established on New Vision’s debut album, With Love, from last year. Be sure to keep tabs on the band on their socials, and you’ll hopefully find your chance to catch these exhilarating new songs live sometime soon.
