Released: 24th February 2023
Genre: Pop
Published by: 3 Beat Records
Scottish singer Callum Beattie has returned to his roots with his second major release, Vandals.
The artist has been on a steady rise in the UK, debuting with the solemn “We Are Stars” in 2017 and releasing his first album in 2020; his music is often quite personal, homing in on communities, change and relationships. The titular opening song kicks things off with a bang, taking the listener back to Callum’s working class routes. The black and white tinge and a rebellious boy on the front cover speaks to his past life, but at several points the album gets more reflective.
This is emphasised by the more sentimental pieces; “Mammy”, “Dancing With Wolves” and “Home Free” all deliver a slower, more thoughtful tone. A common theme of moving on and making your own way in the world persists in these tracks. This only forms a small portion of the set, revealing Callum’s best trait, alternating between varied paces and medleys without losing any momentum. When the speed rises and the drums start pounding, the singer’s output is just as strong with “Pt.II” signalling the album’s shift to a more lively feel.
Totalling forty-three minutes, the thirteen tracks take you through a wide spectrum of creativity. “Let Me Fall” is a serious toe-tapper with its upbeat rhythm and piano notes; so too is “Can’t Kill The Summer” which adds some synths for an infectiously entertaining listen. Taking a similar approach to 2020’s “People Like Us” allows Beattie to play to his strengths; those who have followed him from the start may have wished for some ambitious steps in other genre, but what’s here is still very impressive. “Warrior” is easily the most powerful and uplifting track of the bunch with rousing lyrics and echoing guitar riffs.
It doesn’t stray too far from his established style, but Vandals boasts a great variety of tones and compositions, solidifying Callum Beattie’s status as a rising talent in the music scene. His ability to swing between different tracks so effortlessly is certainly his greatest accomplishment, one that will hopefully pay dividends with a growing audience. Make sure to check him out if you’re having a browse through new releases.
Rating: B
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