That Music Magazine » Vacation Manor...

Written By: Liv Foltiny and Photographed by: Nettwerk Music Group

Last month, Virginia-native duo Vacation Manor (Nathan Towles and Cole Young) released their latest EP, Back to Town. Comprised of six tracks, the EP falls just shy of 21 minutes, and in that time, it manages to convey some of the various emotions that accompany growth and change.

Reminding me slightly of Semisonic’s “Closing Time,” “January (Over & Over),” the first track, establishes the nostalgic tone that permeates the EP. In the song’s opening lyrics, Towles connotes the all-too-relatable feeling of wanting to stay in bed while longing for something else. The contradictory natures of these desires then lead to an ongoing carousel of thoughts, ranging from social comparisons via New Year’s resolutions to the anxiety surrounding life’s uncertainty. These concepts, which are reflected “over and over, over and over again” in the chorus, couple with the song’s soft vocals and dreamlike melody to create a melancholy reminiscent of that which affects many people during the winter.

Following “January (Over & Over),” the rest of the EP blends together almost seamlessly; the nostalgic and daydreamy tones flow from track to track, discussing topics such as trying to live in the present moment, the bittersweetness of change in the once familiar, habitual ruts, and the wandering that sometimes coincides with self-discovery. In other words, the songs effectively give form to an introspective stream of consciousness that concludes in the final track, “When It’s All Over.”

Honestly, Back to Town didn’t appeal to me as a listener; however — and I want to stress this — that does not mean it’s a bad EP. Its songs are relatable, especially if you have ever struggled with depression, and it clearly demonstrates that Towles and Young are skilled musicians and lyricists. If you are a fan of indie rock, indie pop and/or lo-fi music, you should definitely give Back to Town a listen!

Back to Town is available on Spotify!