High Vis Announce New Album ‘Guided Tour’ Set for Release on October 18, 2024
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London’s High Vis are back with their eagerly anticipated third album, “Guided Tour,” set to release on October 18, 2024. Formed in 2016, High Vis has refined their progressive hardcore sound, blending elements of post-punk, Brit pop, neo-psychedelia, and even Madchester groove. This unique mix maps a middle ground between hooks and fury, melodies and mosh pits.
Lead singer Graham Sayle describes “Guided Tour” as an album balanced between competing forces. “It’s trying to be a hopeful record, while also being incensed,” Sayle explains. The album’s creation is rooted in the UK and Irish DIY hardcore scenes, grounding the band while they grow and draw inspiration from restlessness and righteous anger. “Everyone’s scratching, everyone’s working all the time, and their idea of relaxing is just getting fucked and avoiding reality. This album is an escape from that,” adds Sayle.
“Guided Tour” was recorded over several weeks at Holy Mountain Studios in London with producer Jonah Falco and engineer Stanley Gravett. The album’s sound is dynamic and focused, reflecting anthems forged through sweat and repetition. Drummer Edward ‘Ski’ Harper remarks, “We had a clear idea going in, every moment got used. Maybe when we’re 60 we can sit around and get a drum sound right, but for now it’s about getting things done.”
The album’s 11 tracks cover a wide spectrum of contemporary guitar music, sharpened by the band’s experiences, camaraderie, and societal frustrations. From the swaggering street punk of “Drop Me Out” and “Mob DLA” to the jangling indie sneer of “Worth The Wait” and “Deserve It,” the heavy alt sounds of “Feeling Bless” and “Fill The Gap,” and the shoegazey spoken word of “Untethered,” High Vis seamlessly transmute various styles into their unique intensity.
One standout track, “Mind’s A Lie,” epitomizes the band’s evolving sound. Inspired by Harper’s love of house, garage, and pirate radio, the dance-punk anthem features stabs of sampled female vocals by celebrated South London singer and DJ Ell Murphy. The track builds into a razor wire rhythm of low-slung bass, tense drums, and sparkling guitar, with Sayle’s staunch voice delivering harsh truths. After a sudden breakdown, the track regroups and ascends, blending chiming guitars with Murphy’s uplifting vocals, moving from street-level grit to a transcendent horizon.
High Vis’s new album “Guided Tour” showcases the band’s growth and willingness to push boundaries. Set for release on October 18, 2024, the album promises to captivate listeners with its mix of raw energy, heartfelt themes, and diverse musical influences. As High Vis continues to evolve, “Guided Tour” stands as a testament to their ability to blend various genres into a cohesive, powerful sound.
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