The Vacant Shapes – Ghosts of Sunflowers (2022)
Influenced by the likes of Interpol, Pixies and Velvet Underground, The Vacant Shapes combine elements of early 2000s alternative rock, late 80s post-punk and late 60s garage rock in their sound. Featured on Sinusoidal Music, It’s All Indie, Roadie Music, Mystic Songs, York Calling, and Edgar Allan Poets, the US-based threesome is turning heads across the globe. Noted as being motivated by an underground, DIY approach, the lads “want to create music that we’re excited to go back and listen to…” – and this is exactly what The Vacant Shapes does.
Following their five-track EP How Much Time Does It Take To Heal?, The Vacant Shapes release their latest single ‘Ghosts of Sunflowers’. The first of many singles to come throughout the rest of 2022 and 2023, Rico Shackelford (vocals and guitar), Rob Ochoa (bass) and Gregg Gross (drums) blend the spirit of post-punk with new wave sentiments and a modern indie-rock vibe. A nostalgic flair exists in the melody of ‘Ghosts of Sunflowers’; however, the modern-day rock vibes place The Vacant Shapes on another level with a contemporary edginess to the song.
While The Vacant Shapes have a distinct sound that is purely their own, ‘Ghosts of Sunflowers’ leans toward old-school REM, Joy Division and the New Radicals. Shackleford’s smooth vocals elegantly meld with the pounding drums and dynamic guitars making it harmonious and melodic. Interestingly enough, while the vocals are flowing and smooth, they also contain a gruffer, grittier quality, particularly within the catchy chorus.
Bold, sentimental and filled with raw musical passion, ‘Ghosts of Sunflowers’ is a song that you can listen to repeatedly and will still have in your head for days (or weeks) to come.
For more from The Vacant Shapes check out their official website, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
