B-Side Guys

VANDALISBIN’s “Bottle of Wisdom” crashes through the speakers like a rogue wave, merging the raw energy of grunge with soul’s emotional depth. This 21-year-old songwriter, Helena, concocts a potent blend that’s both familiar and startlingly fresh.

The track’s opening salvo hits with the urgency of a long-lost ’90s anthem, yet it’s unmistakably rooted in the present. Helena’s vocals traverse the emotional spectrum, at times reminiscent of Courtney Love’s snarl, at others echoing Arlo Parks’ introspective tones. This vocal dexterity serves as the perfect vehicle for lyrics that grapple with the complexities of self-acceptance.

Musically, “Bottle of Wisdom” is a masterclass in tension and release. The verses simmer with restrained intensity, building to choruses that explode with cathartic force. It’s in these moments that VANDALISBIN’s grunge influences shine brightest, with distorted guitars and pummeling drums creating a wall of sound that’s impossible to ignore.

Yet beneath the sonic assault lies a nuanced exploration of identity and self-worth. Helena’s lyrics dance around the central question: is it better to strive for an idealized version of oneself, or to embrace one’s flaws and idiosyncrasies? This philosophical pondering, delivered with punk rock urgency, gives “Bottle of Wisdom” a depth that belies the artist’s young age.

VANDALISBIN has crafted a song that feels both timeless and urgently of the moment. “Bottle of Wisdom” serves as a powerful introduction to an artist unafraid to mine the depths of human experience, emerging with a sound that’s as comforting as it is challenging. It’s a track that demands repeated listens, each spin revealing new layers of musical and lyrical complexity.