Album 101: Vanic Breaks Down New Album “Here & Now” Track By Track

Vanic is a Vancouver-based talent who has been actively crafting his unique take on electronic dance music since 2012, eventually making waves several years later in 2016 with his debut hit single ‘Samurai.’ Over time the established creative force’s various remixes and original productions have placed him on the map. Vanic is back with his highly anticipated full-length studio album “Here & Now.” The 12-track album begins with ‘Intro,’ bringing listeners into the world of Here & Now. Taking his creative vision on the road, Vanic is in the midst of finishing the summer with his 11-stop ‘Here & Now Tour’. Vanic also teamed up with Hiber to create a virtual world for his LP – fans can play the game while exploring the full album. Taking full control of this second wind in his musical career, Vanic hopes to prove to the world he is not done just yet. With all that being said, what better way to pinpoint the significance of this album than to hear it from the artist himself. Hear the story of how he put this all together in the track-by-track breakdown below.

1 – Intro

This is an old melody I used to play on the piano that I combined with some War of the Worlds clips. I loved listening to the old Orson Welles radio show when I was younger and ever since I started making music I wanted to make something with these radio clips that felt like an epic journey through space.

2 – I’m Yours

I’m Yours continues where the Intro left off. Again, it’s supposed to take the listener on a journey where each section feels different than the previous one. Sylvie Cox has the most beautiful voice and delivery, she has the timbre and control of someone like Lana Del Rey. This is definitely one of my favorites on the album.

3 – Somewhere Better.

Somewhere Better dives more into the crossover realm of pop and EDM. It’s more of a radio-friendly track that is reminiscent of old songs of mine like Circles.

4 – Earn It.

Earn It is a really cool collaborative track that had a very interesting life. Originally it was a totally different BPM vocal mash made up of random adlibs from Zack Gray that Fairlane took and wrote some beautiful chords and guitar parts underneath. I took over from there and made it into a house and trap combo that I think really ended up finishing the track perfectly.

5 – Here & Now.

Here and Now is the title track of the album. It’s all about being present and being thankful for everything around you. Francis Skyes is both an incredible human being and an incredible musician and I’m honored to have worked on something so meaningful with him.

6 – Get Away.

Get Away is another collaborative track with Zack Gray. This one is a melodic dubstep banger that we also tried to make hit people in the feels! Zack Gray has the most incredible vocal range and writing talent and I think this track really highlights both of those while still having a heavy-hitting drop.

7 – Perfect.

I had the instrumental for this track for awhile and was at a loss for finding someone to write and sing on it until Runn came along. She took it and wrote a beautiful topline on it and made the track what it is today. Perfect combines Runn’s amazing vocals with another classic pitch-bending Vanic lead and trap drop.

8 – PTLD.

PTLD is another pop EDM crossover track and it all started with LoLo. She sent me the demo awhile ago and I loved the chorus and the chords. I took it and tried to add that Vanic touch and it turned into a  melodic trap track that again has some classic Vanic vibes to it.

9 – Run.

This song started with Aspen King and her sister Carmanah King. They originally sent me a demo with the 4 to the floor beat and a vocal hook, and after that we went back and forth a bunch and built it into the song it is now. This was the only track where I was able to get into the studio with the other artists since covid had shut down most travel. My girlfriend also helped write the chorus, and the real life collaboration was a really crucial part in shaping the song. I really love how it turned out – a dark and vibey mid tempo meets trap song with beautiful vocals on top.

10 – Tempo.

Tempo is a break from everything else on the album. This bass house track was produced equally between me and Coka Cobra, and we wanted to focus on not thinking too much and just having fun with it. It’s full of random cheesy samples and big bass house synths and its super fun to play live.

11 – Forever Down.

This song has a special place in my heart as it was the first song I produced since meeting my current girlfriend. She totally inspired the sound of it. This version of the song is with Saint Sinner only (we had previously released this song with Saint Sinner and Wifisfuneral) and I’m really happy we finally got to release this version because I think it is absolutely beautiful and Saint Sinner’s second verse is so good that it needed to be released into the world. I’m really grateful to Saint Sinner for helping to make this part of the album!

12 – Theta.

This is the first official collaboration track between me and my girlfriend Poni. We wanted to make an ethereal vocal-based track combined with some heavy DNB . She wrote and sang for the first time and we produced the DNB together and I think she nailed it and I’m really happy with how the track turned out.

13 – Outro.

This takes the melody from the intro and expands on it. It’s supposed to bring the album together full circle. I’ve always wanted to do an orchestral piece and never really had the opportunity, so this was the perfect chance for me. Its a big Hans Zimmer style cinematic outro and I think it ends the album perfectly.

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