Birmingham band TNL VZN have crafted an engaging fusion of grungy rock and mellow shoegaze that they describe as “serene, nostalgic and aggressive.”
The quintet of Eva (vocals), Lewis and Robert (guitars), Alex (bass) and Lewis M (drums) met at university while searching for a project that would allow them to express their love of alternative music. In their words: “A few of us knew each other, but a lecturer got us in contact with each other knowing we’d work well together.”
And on the sound they’ve honed since, Eva told us: “Like if Paramore had a bit more angst. We take a lot from shoegaze and alternative music from the 2000s, so to some it might seem weirdly retro. I like to think of it as shimmery with all the weird tones.”
The latest taste of this is their single Scratch, which was released in February. It opens up with high-pitched dreamy guitars that continue as drums kick in, then drop into a laid-back verse led by Eva’s engaging vocals. That flows into a big atmospheric chorus “I can’t be your all, If your heads in the middle, I’m pinned against the wall, Trying to work out your riddle, You only want me in the dark, You scratch my back to keep the spark.”
Another verse leads into a delicious more intense second chorus that ends with heavy guitar chords leading a big instrumental section. And it drops into a final chorus to bring the track to a close.
On the track, Eva said: “It’s been great so far, from having kind DMs about how they like the track to Spotify putting it on one of their curated playlists, it’s been a really good reception. Still can’t quite grasp the fact that people from across the globe are hearing it, to be honest. For people who haven’t heard it, if you love all things shoegaze or 90s grunge it’s definitely worth giving a go (I promise).” Check the track out in the funky video here:
Scratch follows on from last year’s superb single Persephone and debut EP Ecstasy, which includes the more laid-back opener Filth in Silk, the engaging Do You Know What Happens Next? and a big conclusion to final track The Pit. But a personal favourite is their fantastic debut single Night Terror, which opens up with light guitars joined by laid-back vocals that build into cries of “You’re my night terror.” More intense vocals flow into an extended second chorus, which gives way to a driving riff and a big rocky instrumental section. Check it out in the lyric video here:
TNL VZN’s music is influenced by modern shoegaze and grungegaze like Fleshwater, Loathe, Static Dress, Narrowhead, Superheaven and The Cure. While their lyrics are influenced by Jeff Buckley, Lana Del Rey, and Siouxsie and The Banshees.
And Eva adds: “When writing lyrics, the subject matter is usually based off of disputes and deceit within relationships. When writing lyrics I can be influenced by completely random occurrences such as words I’ve heard when speaking to someone or books I’ve read and their content.”
TNL VZN have a few shows lined up, including supporting Graywave’s UK tour through May, and supporting Oakman at Satan’s Hollow in Manchester on 26 July. They also spent the winter working with their producer Jonny, so expect more new music shortly.
You can follow TNL VZN on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and check out their music on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
GigRadar 