With their self-titled release, Vacant Shores EP, the Bristol-based trio Vacant Shores deliver a stunning and immersive journey through the realms of alternative pop and electronic sound design. The record feels like the culmination of years spent refining an aesthetic that merges lush textures, precise rhythmic patterns, and emotionally resonant songwriting. It’s a project that balances the cinematic grandeur of electronic music with the human warmth of pop — a testament to how far the band has evolved since their debut.
Originally formed by producer Jon Elliott and vocalist/multi-instrumentalist AJ “Sid” Sidford, Vacant Shores have always operated within the liminal space between ambient electronica and trip-pop. With the addition of Suzy Alderton in 2024, their sound took on a new dimension — more haunting, more expressive, and distinctly more intimate. Her voice doesn’t just float atop the mix; it becomes part of the texture itself, blending seamlessly with the synth layers and rhythmic pulses. The result is an EP that feels both expansive and deeply personal.
From the opening moments, Vacant Shores EP establishes an atmosphere that is cinematic in scale yet rooted in emotional authenticity. The synths shimmer with analog warmth, oscillating between reverb-drenched pads and intricate arpeggios that recall the emotive energy of acts like Moderat and Portishead. The rhythm section, meanwhile, remains sharp and deliberate — never overpowering, but always driving the emotional momentum forward. Every percussive detail feels intentional: the soft thud of a kick buried beneath ethereal pads, the crisp snap of digital hi-hats that punctuate moments of introspection.
“Flat Circle,” one of the standout tracks, perfectly captures the trio’s ability to merge groove with atmosphere. Its rhythm unfolds gradually, layering subtle beats and delayed percussion that create a sense of cyclical motion. The synth lines drift and expand like waves, carrying Alderton’s vocals through an ocean of reverb and modulation. The song’s structure is deceptively simple, but its production depth invites repeated listens — each spin revealing new sonic details that feel almost tactile.
On “Wasted Breath,” the band leans further into their dance-oriented tendencies. The track’s rhythmic core is hypnotic, built around syncopated patterns that pulse beneath waves of lush synth harmonies. Yet, even within its rhythmic intensity, there’s an undeniable melancholy at play. The vocal delivery is restrained but emotive, hovering just above the mix as if on the verge of disintegration. It’s this interplay between precision and fragility that defines Vacant Shores’ sound — a constant tension between control and surrender.
“3 Fire Alarm,” accompanied by a visually striking promo video directed by Tobias Stretch, stands out as the emotional centerpiece of the EP. Its rhythm is more fragmented, its synth palette more experimental, creating a sense of urgency that borders on cinematic. The production is dense but never cluttered, weaving percussive glitches, bass pulses, and vocal harmonies into a coherent whole. It’s a testament to Elliott’s meticulous production and the trio’s ability to craft immersive sonic landscapes that remain grounded in emotional storytelling.
Throughout the EP, Vacant Shores demonstrate a mastery of contrast — light and shadow, synthetic and organic, tension and release. Their use of space is particularly striking: silence and ambience are treated as instruments in their own right. Each track breathes, allowing melodies to decay naturally into the surrounding atmosphere. The overall pacing of the EP feels deliberate, almost filmic, with each song serving as a chapter in a cohesive emotional narrative.
The synth work across the project deserves special mention. Rather than relying on sheer volume or complexity, the band focuses on texture — layers that shimmer, distort, and fade in unexpected ways. This approach gives the record its distinctive sense of depth, as though the sound itself is alive, shifting and morphing with every passing measure. The rhythmic choices reinforce this, alternating between fluid downtempo grooves and more propulsive electronic beats, creating an ebb and flow that mirrors the emotional contours of the songwriting.
With Vacant Shores EP, the band have solidified their place among the UK’s most compelling new electronic acts. It’s a release that feels simultaneously intimate and vast, blending modern electronic production with timeless songwriting sensibilities. As they continue to expand their presence across live stages and festival circuits, Vacant Shores prove that their music is not only to be heard but to be experienced — a rich, textured landscape where emotion and sound become one.
At 600 words of intricate sound design and lyrical depth, Vacant Shores EP stands as a high-quality release we are proud to host on our webzine — an evocative and deeply atmospheric work that lingers long after the final note fades.