Richmond, VA-based artist Valentin Prince consumes throughout his eponymous album, recorded with producer Danny Gibney in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Released today, Valentin Prince enthralls with its blend of vibrant rock and introspective psych-rock, with touches of folk. Themes of self-reflection and emotional turbulence emerge, especially on tracks like “Taking Shape,” with its meditative “slowing down, taking shape” ascent, and “Overthinking,” which explores anxiety through shifting tones and lush guitar work. The album consistently navigates personal trials with melodic depth and dynamic, cathartic instrumentation.
Opening the album in stellar form, “Taking Shape” showcases the project’s overall versatility — from dazed psych-pop introspection emitting a “slowing down, taking shape,” ethos, to ardent bursts of guitar. A strongly melodic hold shows throughout, and continues into the ensuing “Beam of Light.” A debonair vocal character carries seamlessly alongside hazy guitars, reassuring “don’t be long, there’s an end in sight,” in anticipating the title-touting warmness. An enveloping guitar solo invigorates past the mid-point and into a dreamily satiating outro.
A more dexterous rhythmic pace shows on the compelling “Muse,” aligning with pleasantly subdued vocals that flow with a stream-of-conscious serenity. The subsequent “Overthinking” also enamors with its tonal shifts from dreamy to invigorating, set within an contemplative lyrical take on overwhelming trials in life. “Pattern recognition, I feel like I’m losing oxygen,” they vocals convey there, admitting feelings of dread into charismatic guitar work that plays seamlessly amidst the jangly lushness. Another standout, “Move On” laments similarly on the desire to escape from tumult. Suave bass and fluttering guitars show enjoyably within, while the title-based refrain serves as an enjoyably hooky sequence.
“Right in Front of Me” brings forth a sense of realization and clarity, enveloping with twangy guitars and a harmonious vocal drive. A quest to find “the perfect song,” — one “with a flawless beat,” — stirs into the cathartic “all I need is right here,” thumping and elongated vocal work into the central refrain. The gripping “Ghosted” continues a strong second half for the album. “I don’t wanna say goodbye,” the emotive croon lets out, asking “does she even think of me?” as nocturnal guitar tones drive into aptly whimpering tones at the mid-point. The late-night soundscape continues on “Dive Bar,” where smitten sentiments — “I just wanna go to a dive bar with you,” — melds gorgeously with twangy guitar delights.
Album finale “Cold House” unveils a haunting folk minimalism, its trickling acoustics and ghostly ambient effects intertwining; lyrical depictions of a “cold house,” is suitably bolstered by a chilly folk arsenal that concludes the album with spine-tingling impact. Valentin Prince thoroughly impresses with a range of quality songwriting throughout his self-titled album, delighting across a range of colorful rock-forward enthusiasm and haunting folk intrigue alike.
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“Taking Shape” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.