Vary Suite is a Rock outfit from Upstate New York with a high energy electric sound and keen Pop sensibilities. They debuted in 2018 with the single “New Colors” and have since released a steady stream of singles and two EPs. With a sound that is equally influenced by American Emo Rock, Japanese J-Pop and anime music, they have carved out a unique niche in the Alternative world.
“A.I.” is the latest EP from Vary Suite, released worldwide to all major streaming services on February 12, 2021. The six song collection is heavy-hitting, both socially and emotionally. The record is a practice in self examination from a young man who finds himself at the dawn of adulthood. He’s trying to make sense of his own mind and the world around him. And he’s doing so with a backdrop of some seriously hard rocking tunes.
The record kicks off with “Catch-25” and we are immediately introduced to Vary Suite’s hard hitting brand of Emo Rock. It’s a great sound with all of the catchy Pop hooks we expect from the genre. However, there’s a Metal edge here that we don’t often find with typical Pop/Punk fare. The Vary Suite guitars owe as much to Metallica as they do to Blink 182, and the songs here share the former’s penchant for complex and intricate musical arrangements.
After the “why am I here,” examination of the opening track we are met with the “how do you sleep” sentiment of “Pretender,” in which the singer asks an acquaintance how they can live with their dishonest selves. The tune grows more intense as it builds to a solid Screamo bridge. “A Glitch in the System” follows with a musically powerful bit of mental health self examination. In both subject and style the song brings to mind some of the heavier Panic! At The Disco songs, complete with Brendan Urie-worthy multi-part vocal harmony breaks.
“Full Dive” opens with a few seconds of 8-bit arcade music but quickly explodes into the record’s Heaviest Metal. The low rumbling riff-rock, record scratching and rapping comes from the Limp Bizkit world of 90’s hybrid Alternative. But there is a lot more going on in this track, with Pantera style double bass drums grooves and the signature Vary Suite wall of harmonized vocals.
The group takes it down a notch on the two closing tracks. “Re:Invent” finds the singer in a better mindset, although still decidedly at an unease. In any case the Pop hooks and upbeat rhythm of the track reflect the turn around. The final track “Grey Matter” comes at us from a similar angle. He’s still struggling, but getting better… maybe. He sings, “I love my life but hate myself.” We are not sure if that is an improvement and either is the singer as he asks himself, “Is it a breakthrough or a breakdown?”
“A.I.” is a solid record featuring expert musicianship, powerfully skillful and intense vocals and more Pop hooks than the Brill building. Check it out, below. You can also hear the song “A Glitch in the System” on the Deep Indie Dive playlist. Follow the links below to connect with Vary Suite. Get on their socials and get in the loop on all of the current and future projects from this talented act.
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Vary Suite on the Deep Indie playlists
