As the new year begins, Wicked Vices set a resolution of their own with their latest release, “Sharks.” It’s the type of song that might be the catchy tune played at the end of a coming-of-age movie. It speaks of a lesson learned and a better life moving forward.
It starts with a drumbeat that lays the foundation for the rest of the feel-good track. From the moment the song starts, one’s foot starts to tap. By the time the guitar tunes in, we’re ready to clap our hands. The smooth vocals ring out to tie the song together.
The message of the song is simple. Wicked Vices is ready to move past the haters, who they’ve cleverly renamed “sharks” in this tune, and those who bring them down.
More specifically, says Geoff MacDonald, bass guitarist of the band, men need to adjust their behaviour.
“Men need to listen to women more. The ones who don’t stick out like a sore thumb.”
Or, as the song simply states, “What gives you the right to be dangerous?”
“Sharks” is a song that will be stuck in your head for a month. Released on January 4th, the simple upbeat track is the sixth single to be released by Wicked Vices since February 2017.
It’s a refreshing change of pace for the four-member band, formed by Kristen Vautour, Geoff MacDonald, Chris Hawkins and Ryan Barrie. Usually focusing on heavier rock, “Sharks” brings a preppy pop feel into the mix.
“It’s a feel-good tune that’s definitely on the poppy side of our catalogue. I had a drum beat that I wanted to drive throughout the track that would keep people moving in a live setting. Geoff followed it up with a catchy bass riff and we went from there,” says Wicked Vices‘ drummer Ryan Barrie.
Barrie also says the single isn’t necessarily a new direction for the band, but rather a song that is placed on the band’s spectrum of sounds.
“‘Sharks’ falls in the middle somewhere. We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves to one genre.”
Wicked Vices’ self-titled debut album is scheduled to release next month, and I couldn’t be more excited.
If they follow their own advice and ignore negativity, maybe their 2019 will be something spectacular.