Album Review: Vacations - Forever In Bloom

Two years after the release of their debut album, Newcastle indie pop quartet Vacations are back with their second, Forever In Bloom. The record marks the band's first time working with a producer, with Holy Holy's Oscar Dawson (who’s produced for numerous Aussie acts including Ali Barter, Alex Lahey and Bec Sandridge), helping to refine and craft their light, sun-drenched sound. 

Layers of shimmering synths crescendo over ambient bird sounds on instrumental opener Floraison, setting the tone for the dream pop and shoegaze inspired tracks to follow. A punchy bass line cuts through guitar jangle on Panache, which features Sarah Sykes of Sydney outfit Sunscreen as well as fellow Newcastle locals Craterface and teddie (saxophone). Lavender is both dreamy and powerful, with bright synths and airy, floating guitars grounded by tight, punchy drums, providing danceable, bouncing grooves – a combination they never stray far from. Vacations do soaring choruses very well, with vocalist/guitarist Campbell Burns often slipping into falsetto to deliver memorable, reverb-soaked hooks, as evidenced on Ego and Something Here.  

Forever In Bloom sounds like summer – and we could all do with a vacation.