Glasvegas: Euphoric heartbreak

I’m a fan of music, but no music expert. That being said, anyone can recognize a genius when they hear it, and I heard it in this album.

Glasvegas is an alternative rock band from Glasgow, Scotland that I recently fell in love with. They’re not very well known here in America, but their second album has been catching a lot of attention in the U.K., so it might certainly do so here.

The best way to describe their sound is melodic with a touch of techno. They use guitars and drums, but certainly aren’t afraid of synthesizers.

Their songs are slower, but are heartbreakingly beautiful so you can’t stop listening. James Allan, the lead singer, has a voice that will enthrall you and make you cry. Throw in his Scottish accent that is clearly present when he sings, and you’ve got a recipe for a hit.

Most of the songs are about Allan’s struggle with his sexuality. His words are so real that anyone can relate to them. The song where this is the most obvious is “I Feel Wrong (Homosexuality Part 1),” which I’ve had on repeat for quite a while as I write this. Allan sings: “For my blue eyed boy there’s a long distanced longing. Behind closed doors fantasies going on and I feel wrong.” You can feel his pain and how he has struggled with being gay. I have never heard something this passionate in my life. Listen closely to the lyrics and you will feel something, I promise you.

Other standouts are “Euphoria Take My Hand” and “Dream Dream Dreaming.” They all have the same feel to them, but if you listen to music for the lyrics and not the beat you can tell the difference. All of the songs are about love in some way or another whether it is the loss of it or trying to accept it.

You have to listen to this album if you appreciate beautiful music in any way, shape or form. It will make you sad and profoundly happy all at once. The title of the album really does say it all.  Glasvegas is a breath of fresh air in the music world because I’ve never heard lyrics so real.

The album will hopefully be available in the U.S. May 4, but it’s currently on sale in the U.K. Thanks to their website, I got to preview the album and write this review. Glasvegas is a band you need to know—now.

Posted by Danielle Paluga on Apr 7 2011. Filed under Leisure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.