Dundee band Red Vanilla have dropped the third single, I Thought I Had It, from their upcoming second EP, Where I Should Be, due on 8 May, and it’s a bold statement from a band that’s clearly hitting its stride.
Guitarist George cites Queens of the Stone Age‘s Songs for the Deaf as a primary influence, particularly the heaviness of the closing track, and this influence is undeniable: the song builds with controlled energy before bursting into a powerful outro. But Red Vanilla are no simple tribute act. Drawing from a wider range of influences – the raw power of Foo Fighters, the hazy introspection of Mazzy Star and the emotional directness of Wolf Alice – they create a sound that feels distinctly their own. The steady beats keep the bright guitar sounds in place, making the track’s louder parts feel strong without making them too quiet.
I Thought I Had It navigates the uneasy space between ambition and self-doubt. It captures the exhausting cycle of chasing momentum, only to hit another dead end. This is a sentiment that will resonate far beyond the rehearsal room. The writing is candid without being indulgent and, crucially, it doesn’t wallow. Underneath the uncertainty runs a quiet current of resilience, and an acknowledgement that persevering, however thankless, is better than giving up.
“Lyrically, the song is about the draining loop of chasing momentum as a band, thinking you’re finally getting somewhere, then hitting another dead end.” (vocalist Anna Forsyth)
If Where I Should Be sustains this level of craft, Red Vanilla may be about to make a lot of people sit up and pay attention.
Live Dates:
30.05.26 – Dundee – Music Hall (w/ Copper Lungs)
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