SINGLE REVIEW: TNL VZN – Scratch

TNL VZN are a band on the verge of exploding.

Based out of Birmingham, the quintet released their debut material last year, with their EP ‘Ecstasy’ being followed up by their breakout single ‘Persephone’; the latter of these has already hit 60,000 streams on Spotify, and shows no sign of stopping yet. Not bad for a band at the very, very start of their career. Now following their signing to Royal Artists, TNL VZN are back once more, with a brand new single entitled ‘Scratch’.

Huge walls of distorted guitars crash down over the listener, buoyed by waltzing rhythms and a powerful yet subtle bass line that lends decent weight to the atmospherics of the track. Certainly, it perfectly aligns with the current relevancy of 90’s grunge and shoegaze that is making a resurgence, but is delivered with such conviction and power that TNL VZN easily stand out from the crowd.

One of the biggest highlights of this track is Eva May Beard‘s vocal performance. A smokey, bluesy tone haunts the verses before surging outwards into soaring, strident choruses, marked by compelling and catchy melodies that beg to be sung back to the band by live crowds. It’s a performance that perfectly compliments the unrepentant instrumentals here, both knowing when to add levity and light, and when to be embroiled in the darkness that permeates the whole affair.

TNL VZN are a band already beginning to see some success, yet ‘Scratch’ feels like it could be a momentous release for the band; a showcase of TNL VZN finally nailing their identity and purpose, and delivering it with style, passion, and talent. If you are at all interested in the next generation of the UK’s alternative scene, then you need to check out this band.

For Fans Of: Split Chain, Deftones, Loathe, October Drift, Slowcrush

Featured photo credit belongs to @blackboxphotoco.

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify // Twitter