Vistas ‘Is This All We Are?’ Album Review

An introspective and emotionally charged 34 minutes and 53 seconds of new material.

Recorded at the then brand new Kempston Street Studios in Liverpool, and produced by Rich Turvey, ‘Is This All We Are?’ is by far Vista’s best work yet. Recorded in December of 2022, the Scottish three piece’s third studio album ‘Is This all We Are?’ takes Vistas in a new direction, treating listeners to an introspective and emotionally charged 34 minutes and 53 seconds of new material.

Invigorated creatively by the brand new studio, on ‘Is this All We Are?’ Vistas have laid themselves emotionally bare, creating a body of work in which is questioning, reflective and at times even angsty. The album’s questioning title sets the tone for what is to follow, an exploration of everything from the meaning of life, to death, and turbulent relationships.

Northern Exposure had the chance to catch up with Lead Singer Prentice Robertson and Guitarist Dylan Rush backstage at this year’s Leeds Festival. Enthusiastically speaking on the album, Prentice told us: “There are so many songs on ‘Is This All We Are?’that I’m really excited for people to hear. There’s lots of stuff on there that we haven’t done before, different tempos, styles and darker lyrics. On this album we’ve really focused on trimming any fat, and making sure everything on it has a purpose. It’s a nice, condensed body of work.”

Vista’s Assai Record’s Album Instore show – Photos: HOPE SIMMERS

Opening track Cruel Hearts really makes a statement, it is a raw and beautiful exploration of the feelings surrounding illness, and the strange reality of impending grief. Inspired by lead singer Prentice Robertson’s personal experience, Cruel Heartswas the last song written for the album and it was instantly decided that it would be the opening track. Prentice explained: “I think it sets up the darker tone of the record really well and captures the sound of what we tried to put across in this album.” He continued: “All of the songs on this record were written when one of my family members was very ill and Cruel Hearts is one of the songs that focuses heavily on how I was feeling at the time.”

The track examines the conversations that are often had with someone who is approaching the end of their life, and the conflicting feelings around them. Prentice’s lyrics delicately depict the imposing finality of illness and death, and our human instinct to want to say everything we can while also feeling the need to heal old wounds. Explaining the process behind writing the song Prentice said: “I was often left feeling like I didn’t get to say everything I wanted or I wasn’t able to articulate it in the right way… Ultimately, I don’t think you’ll ever feel satisfied that you’ve said everything you’d ever want to, to someone that means a lot to you, and the cruelness of this is what I wanted to capture in the song.”

On ‘Is This What We Are?’ Vistas leave behind the more classic indie sound that they have established on their earlier releases, opting to experiment with an alternative rock sound, citing bands like Radiohead as influences. Single Nowadays was released in August, giving fans a sneak peak into the band’s evolving sound for the record. Prentice told Northern Exposure: “It’s probably one of our heavier tunes, a bit more emo sounding, with darker topics covered. It was really fun to do in the studio. The drums for Nowadays was one of the first things that we recorded for it [the new album]…it was really exciting loading up and hearing the first take of the drums. We thought this is going to be class.”

Another stand out track is Latest single Bad Idea, which stemmed from feelings of frustration towards the music industry, and in it Prentice describes the alienation often felt by artists trying to navigate a competitive, ever changing and often insincere industry. The anthemic, cinematic style track would not feel out of place in an 80’s movie, with its pulsating drums and power ballad-esque chorus.

Despite the album’s inspirations coming from some of the hardest times in the band’s personal lives, ‘Is This All We Are?’ is also a story of hope.

Last Together is one of the most daring parts of the record, its oscillating synth sounds pared with a big rock and roll chorus and slamming guitars. The song revels in the shared experience of feeling inadequate, but instead of a self critical song, here Prentice celebrates our mistakes and imperfections, finding comradery within those feelings. The track finishes off instead with an uplifting message of hope: “So don’t ever let them tell you what you can’t become, because we’ll last forever, we’ll be coming last together”.

The album’s most joyous moment comes from feel good summer pop anthem ‘I Know I Know’. The album’s most lyrically simple song is perfect for a-let-your-hair-down, dancing in the rain at a festival moment, with a chorus guaranteed to get crowds bouncing along when played live.

Although ‘Is This All We Are?’ is Vista’s most ambitious work yet, with this body of songs, the band have really hit the bull’s-eye. The album is devoid of any ‘filler songs’ and the condensed timestamp ensures that every note is considered, and every track has been carefully crafted, deserving of its place. The album has been created with a level of musical maturity yet to be experienced from Vistas, and marks the start of a new era for the band who are sure to continue to play bigger and better venues off the back of the release.

‘Is This All We Are?’ really is the product of a labour of love, and the creative process didn’t just stop at the music. To celebrate the release of the album, Vistas even released a limited edition vinyl designed by guitarist Dylan Rush and performed a string of live album instores, where fans could catch a glimpse of the new songs live in advance of the band’s November headline tour.

Catch to Vistas on tour head to: https://vistasmusic.com/#tour-dates