Review | Vacations – No Place Like Home

Label: Nettwerk

Following 2020’s ‘Forever In Bloom‘, Australian indie rock band Vacations return with their third album, ‘No Place Like Home‘.

With opening single ‘Next Exit‘, the band immediately show off their versatility. Reminiscent of sunny days and happy times with an upbeat and relaxed guitar-led melody, frontman Campbell Burns’ vocals shine brightly throughout, undulating as the melody moves into a slower and deeper territory.

‘Slow Motion‘ continues the bands well-known sound; the buoyant backing is more synth-pop while Burns’ vocals dominate the track. Things slow down for the title track, ‘No Place Like Home‘, which puts the band’s emotive lyrics at the forefront. Burns’ light and wistful vocals alongside a more piano-led melody offers brevity on what could have been a song full of sorrow.

Coming in at two and a half minutes long, ‘Over You‘ is a return to Vacation’s sanguine indie sound. Leaning into a more bedroom style of pop, the song is reminiscent of some British greats such as Two Door Cinema Club, Bombay Bicycle Club and Little Comets, all the while keeping what makes them unique – Burns’ signature vocals.

From bedroom style pop to more left field sonic hooks, ‘Arizona‘ is a purely instrumental track, one that envisions pool days and hazy sunshine. A shimmering single that says more in its silence than some songs say in 10 minute versions.

‘Off-Season‘ feels grander in its melody, a sweeping song that features a symphony of instruments alongside Burns’ introspective sensitive lyrics which are prevalent once again. While ‘Close Quarters‘ and ‘Midwest‘ can be described as easy listening in the way the melodies are both upbeat and light-hearted, it is the juxtaposition of these melodies alongside the bittersweet lyrics that elevate them.

‘Terms & Conditions‘ is soft and subtle; Burns’ vocals, haunting and monotonous, lead the single as the guitar-led melody take a backseat. It’s such a beautifully understated track, the lyrics perfectly capturing the soul-searching feeling that permeates the track.

Closer ‘Lost in Translation‘ is the antithesis of album opener ‘Next Exit‘, a a complete change in tone and pace from the first track. It might seem like an odd choice to close such an otherwise jubilant album but it makes the whole project much more interesting.

It’s a full circle moment; while ‘Next Exit‘ asks us to embrace uncertainty, ‘Lost in Translation‘ tells us that we are enough: ‘Know that we love you / You’ve always been enough’.

A fun-filled, adventurous album from a very exciting band. Whether you’re driving with the windows down in LA, chilling by the pool in Melbourne or sat inside watching the rain in a grey Newcastle, ‘No Place Like Home‘ transcends time and place.