I hope we all realize how incredibly lucky we are to have a musician in the world as consistent and prolific as Vinny Earley. Between frequent touring and myriad side projects, he still manages to bring us new material from his long-running solo project annually, thus giving sad sack aging punks like me something to look forward to in this crummy world. The melancholic Nothing’s Secret from 2022 is an almost meditative collection of earworms!

Not that I’m ranking these releases, but this had to be the record I put on more than any other. The songwriting is perfect and it sounds immaculate. It’s moody and detached, but with so much heart and melodies that cut me in half. I love every second of it. Vaguess has often oscillated between singles-a-go-go and a desire to make thematic albums. Nothing’s Secret is adopting both these approaches. There are many hits, like “When It’s Gone“, “Heaven’s Market” (with the excellent Kiana from Diode), and “Profit or Punk?“, but the album also holds together perfectly.

Everything is summed up in the last track mentioned. Between profit and punk, you often have to choose, but Vaguess opens the way to a rare compromise. The album is perfectly balanced, between post-Strokes guitars, keyboards, Elon Musk-like verses, and cowboy impulses. It is also very well produced, which will make it last longer. There was sadness in many of Vaguess’ last albums. With Nothing’s Secret, it gives way to more realism. This LP talks about love here and there (“If Not for Nothin, (Tone)“, “Forever“…), but always with acceptance and relativism. This approach leaves more room for his music. It is very good!

In summation: Save Vinny Earley, may his reign last a thousand years. 

• Label: Erste Theke Tontraeger
• Format Type: 12"
• Year: 2024