Album Review: You Vandal – this is where people come to die

Let’s cut to the chase. The weather is getting nicer by the day while the headlines keep getting bleaker. Sometimes you just need to take the car out, put the windows down, turn your mind off, and blast some good old fashioned pop punk. And if that sentiment resonates, then have I got the album for you.

Gainesville four-piece, You Vandal, is set to release their fourth LP this is where people come to die via Florida’s own Euclid Place Records. And believe me, if I didn’t bring up the Florida DNA of this album, you would have picked up on it seconds into pressing play. With catchy, high-pitched riffs, power drums, and nostalgic lyrics of city memories, “lords of nothing” drops you right into all the makings of a classic pop punk record.

Taking inspiration from all the greats (Taking Back Sunday, Jimmy Eat World, New Found Glory), the energy of the album doesn’t let up. The occasional singer change and gang vocals executed by both vocalists (Eric Cannon and Gooch Pallas) gives the LP a fun contrast and keeps the listener hooked with some unpredictable bridges alongside the pop punk staple of power chords, build ups, and breakdowns.

Aside from the opening track, a notable song for me was “how dracula got his groove back.” It’s one of those songs that truly shows off every single band member throughout its two minutes and eighteen seconds. The guitar switches back and forth from a noodly, emo-inspired riff to those familiar pop-punk power chords. The drums sounds great on this track and the bass bounces all over the place while Cannon gives an incredible vocal performance. This, to me, is a 10/10 pop punk song.

Another highlight of this album is the decision to keep all thirteen tracks under three minutes each. Taking a page out of Joyce Manor’s book, You Vandal gets rid of any fluff and focuses on packing a punch with every second. It really lets the songs shine without allowing them to overstay their welcome.

this is where people come to die is exactly what I want to hear in a modern pop punk album. It feels both fresh and timeless without trying to recreate something like The Starting Line’s Say It Like You Mean It. You Vandal carved their own sound with this one – somewhere in the margins of punk, pop, and emo – and are confidently planting their feet in it.

this is where people come to die is out everywhere on May 23rd. Listen to the latest single here: