Review: Thoughtscape - Vision - The Progressive Subway

Style: Jazz Fusion, Math rock, Post Rock (Clean vocals)
Recommended for fans of: Sithu Aye
Review by: Mathis
Country: UK
Release date: 23 July, 2022

Vision is the follow up EP to Thoughtscape’s 2018 release Path. Four years after his first release, Alex Verghese, the man behind Thoughtscape, has opted for a gentler approach in his song writing. Having ditched the cookie cutter djent formula of the past, Vision is a peart djazzy EP that would have fit snugly into our summer themed playlist.

Although more jazz fusion than anything else, Thoughtscape explores a few other genres in Vision. Consistently light and bouncy, the guitar work in Vision has an inherent Sithu Aye finesse, but at times reminds me of the progressive rock/post rock stylings of Detroit Hills. Verghese’s vocals are just as consistent as his guitar playing. You can hear one line from the whole EP and have a strong understanding and expectation of the vocal performance to come. His consistency in singing is great, but leaves me longing for more experimentation. Verghese has a solution to his lack of vocal variety though, instead of altering his voice he changes the setting his voice occupies. “Beingness” is vibrant and dense instrumentally; inject Verghese’s vocals over the intricate track and you have something that resembles math rock and progressive post-hardcore like Haven State. “Grace” is a slower track, especially during the verses. The vocals in “Grace” aren’t any different than the other tracks in Vision, but by slowing everything down the moment the singing begins post rock vibes start flowing. These slower, softer vocal sections really amplify the similarities to Detroit Hills.

Vision has two outstanding tracks, “Gong Bath” and “Agni”. These two instrumental tracks underline Thoughtscape’s technical proficiency with the guitar. I hardly paid attention to the drums, synths, bass, or keys when listening to Vision, and that’s not to say they are awful, they all just pale in comparison to the guitar noodling and soft yet djenty riffs. If it were up to me Thoughtscape would capitalize on the Sithu Aye style, go full instrumental, and pick up on trends like neoclassical jazz fusion. There isn’t enough unique content in Vision to warrant continuing this part math, part post, mostly fusion approach. The guitar work can easily stand on its own and rise in the ranks of the instrumental jazz fusion genre.

There is one other reason I think taking the instrumental route would be best for Thoughtscape. I touched on the consistency of the vocals earlier, but with the intention of showing how the surrounding music can change how they sound. The simple fact is that the vocals are not strong enough. There isn’t enough range, and hearing the same voice without any modification gets boring quickly. Verghese’s voice sits on the higher side, and with such cheerful music it fits well enough, but adding some layers or harmonies could help immensely. The only exception is the lead voice he sprinkles in the occasional background line, but they only repeat the last line of the lead in a softer tone. The singing isn’t even unpleasant, and I have certainly heard worse, but if singing is the forefront of a song you best believe it deserves that limelight, yet once again I have to give my praise to the lead guitar instead. I can’t help but think that the vocals were an afterthought.

Vision feels like one of my business papers from college. Clearly competent, with a handful of substantial material, but clearly not given 100% dedication. I’m the professor this time around and Thoughtscape deserves a “C”; they didn’t nail it, but they didn’t fail it either. I’m not gonna suggest them to any partners for an internship, but if they focus on their strengths and try for an instrumental release, Thoughtscape could have a bright future in store.

Recommended tracks: Gong Bath, Agni, Beingness
You may also like: Haven State, Detroit Hills, Save Us from the Archon
Final verdict: 5/10