WHERE I SHOULD BE: RED VANILLA STRIKE IT RIGHT ON NEW RECORD
EP REVIEW | RED VANILLA – WHERE I SHOULD BE by Anne Kelly
On their brand new EP Where I Should Be, Dundee-based Red Vanilla have successfully managed to craft a journey that feels both intimately small and stadium-ready. Anchored by singer Anna Forsyth’s versatile vocals and a band that isn’t afraid to shift from a showgazey serenity to a punk rock catharsis in one single track. Following the release of 2024 debut collection Days of Grey, their sophomore effort see’s the band – now a duo of Anna and George on guitar – explore genres with the sort of confidence than only grows through the real life experiences of failure and success.
The EP opens with ‘Electric Blue‘, a track that demands patience and rewards it. The nearly minute-long ethereal intro sets a cinematic tone before pivoting into a surprising rap style delivery in the first verse. It’s a bold choice that highlights the band’s willingness to experiment. As the track builds toward its 3:50 mark, the “rockier” intensity erupts with offbeat drum rhythms that keep the listener on their toes before circling back to a serene, immersive fade.
In stark contrast, ‘Hazy‘ wastes no time, jumping straight into a wall of sound. It’s here we first really appreciate the authentic Scottish lilt in the vocals – a refreshing touch that adds a layer of honest identity to their polished alt-rock sound.
‘Ask Her If She’s Happy‘ acts as the heartbeat of the record. It’s texture-heavy and lyrically poignant, touching on themes of self-inflicted struggle with lines like “self-inflicting hate like she’s no one.” While the mix at times feels a bit unfinished at points, the Green Day-esque influence and the soaring, anthemic chorus make it a strong contender as a favourite on the tracklisting.
On the heavier side of the spectrum, ‘I Thought I Had It‘ is where they hit that punk-rock peak. It’s menacing, high-energy, and serves as a raw rant against the frustrations of the music industry. Come the three-minute mark, it’s got “pit energy” written all over it – stage ready when we are.
The final two tracks of Where I Should Be perfectly encapsulate the Red Vanilla duality. ‘Sunkissed Pools’ offers a moment of pure, acoustic vulnerability that lets Anna’s vocals shine in a way we haven’t seen before. However, it’s the finale, ‘Oh No, I Got Older’, that really sticks the landing. By blending Paramore-esque dynamics with a gritty, honest take on the anxiety of growing up, the band proves that they have something worthwhile saying behind the noise.
Where I Should Be is the sound of a band finding their space in the gap between vulnerability and aggression. Whether they are exploring “moshing heavy” riffs or acoustic sincerity, Red Vanilla’s ability to move between genres while maintaining a cohesive emotional core is neatly impressive. While they may sing about the struggle of breaking through the industry noise, their recent move to the same management team as Placebo proves Red Vanilla are being heard and have the ambition to back it up.
Where I Should Be by Red Vanilla is out now on all main streaming services and you can pre-order an exclusive vinyl copy via Assai Records (available 29th May) here.
You can catch Red Vanilla performing in Glasgow as part of Northern Exposure Live – tickets on sale now.
