Vague Notion Drop Debut EP 'Glow'

Vague Notion – the joint project of vocalist Cheryl Janzen and multi-instrumentalist Bevan Early – are an indie electronic/post punk band who bring you their debut EP GLOW. It is an EP that reaches across genres, from indie electronica, post-punk, and cinematic overtures, blending synths, wailing guitars, Bjork-like vocals, sci-fi inspired textures, and 80s and 90s undertones into a sonic experience that is creatively experimental and a sound of their own creation.

It opens with ‘Visceral Reaction’ , a distinctly nostalgic song. It introduces the sci-fi beats that permeate throughout the album, providing a distinctly rare sound. Janzen’s voice reverberates throughout the song in ethereal echoes, carrying repetitive lyrics ‘A visceral reaction’ and ‘A glow all around’, rebounding instinctually like these reactions do, anchoring in the gut. ‘We Made It So’ leans into post-punk influences with crunchy, wailing guitar leads and heavier drum beats anchoring the song amidst stacked, reverb vocals. It asks the question ‘Our love is like fire, do you want it to go forever?’, providing an emotional anchor which cuts through the density of the sound. 

‘Peace Dub’ is anchored by snare drums, cymbals and rhythmic snaps against a recurring bass loop. It experiments with cricket sounds looping through the backing, offering an unexpected take on electronic lofi. Moments of respite dampen the instrumental accompaniment, allowing the lyrics to stand for themselves – ‘There it is, right in front of me’ – providing a calming clarity for the lyrics to pierce through. ‘Blue Skinned Dog’ opens with the most decisively innovative introduction of the album with futuristic beats and high tonal frequencies that zip and scale across a steady drum beat. Alongside soaring, layered vocals, the intensity of the textured instrumental becomes immersive, pulling the listener into its disorienting rhythm.

The EP closes with ‘Book of Time’ and ‘A Little Distraction’. ‘Book of Time’ leads with a controlled chaos with layers of cinematic chords, electric tonalities and otherworldly synths. The vocals lead with a rasping quality reminiscent of Sharon Van Etten, standing in contrast to the unfamiliar backing track, building in a way that reflects the meditation on time and loss within the lyrics. ‘A Little Distraction’ takes a softer, dreamier approach to the album’s sound. It pairs wailing guitars with choral vocal runs and strong anchoring synth beats.  The lyrics move in cycles, both lyrically and structurally, circling back on events and phrases to highlight an internal tension that builds toward an abrupt sonic end.

GLOW is an EP that flirts with sci-fi textures to create a sonically unique experience. Cheryl Janzen’s vocals sit at an intersection between Chrissie Hynde’s smoky delivery and Björk’s eccentricities. Bevan Early’s intricately layered instrumentation pushes the EP further into new, disorienting territory. It is a boundary-pushing EP that builds on their discography’s skillful experimentation with indie electronica and post-punk, offering up emotional lyricism paired with nostalgic yet futuristic tracks. This work begins to dig deep into the ways genres can bend and mutate to enter a new soundscape that stands on its own.