SINGLE REVIEW: Cry At The Moon by Bradley Simpson
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WRITTEN BY: Brenna Torrence
Bradley Simpson, commonly known as the frontman of British pop group The Vamps, released his first single on March 22nd as part of an upcoming solo project titled Cry At The Moon. Following a ten year career with The Vamps as lead singer and songwriter, as well as his fair share of music production, it is evident that Simpson has incorporated aspects of his ongoing career in the music industry to create a reflective introductory track to his solo project.
The track begins with an acoustic riff that soon melds with Simpson’s unique vocals, and ultimately results in a crescendo of electric guitar and an echoed layering of vocals. The sound of the song goes hand-in-hand to the vulnerability of the lyrics, the raw emotions of a relationship that fell apart being depicted in each element of the track. Feelings like loss and regret within lines such as “I’m all wrapped up in chains, no matter what I do, there’s no coming back from you” are reflected in the powerful electric guitar riff throughout the majority of the song, giving the impression of longing for something that was lost. The overarching sound of the track presents hints of a possible Arctic Monkeys influence, as well as the confirmed influences of Queens of the Stone Age and The Raconteurs.
As a long-time fan of The Vamps, I have had the pleasure to witness Simpson’s development as a creator and songwriter, particularly when it comes to differentiating the sound and styles of the band’s newer releases compared to their earlier material. To go from being introduced into the music industry as a teenager tied to the Disney Channel, to utilizing the freedom of songwriting as a form of reflection and growth, is truthfully fascinating to examine in his music thus far. Cry At The Moon is the pinnacle of what is to be an exciting and experimental project for Simpson in the near future.
