Growing Pains And Raw Honesty: Vacations’ New Album ‘Pursuit of Anything’
“Never thought it could happen to you / Does that make it any less true?” questions Campbell Burns in the opening song of Vacations’ new album, Pursuit of Anything. Out October 2, the album captures the band reflecting on the complicated feelings of growing up and realizing you are now experiencing life independently. Following the success of their 2024 album, No Place Like Home, the Australian indie rock band expresses how although their personal lives may be changing, the bond between them as bandmates is closer than ever. The album responds to many recent life changes of the band. With Burns relocating to Brooklyn and bassist Jake Johnson and drummer Joseph Van Lier both getting married, the album reflects on the strengthening bonds in spite of these contrary forces.
Vacations via Pooneh Ghana.
“Congratulations” opens with a slow, jazzy guitar sequence and steady drums. While the instrumentals feel calming, lyrically it is very emotional, conveying the pains of growing up. In the chorus, Burns is pleading to understand his complicated feelings. Transitioning into a more hopeful ending, the guitar part becomes lighter and airy; it’s still emotional but on the brink of something new and hopeful. These contradicting feelings set the tone for the album and are a frequent callback.
Confronting a past version of oneself, “Yesterday” vulnerably asks if you would change your ways if you didn’t like who you've become. The instrumentals induce joy, but there’s one frequent, off-putting note hiding in the background, almost like a feeling of dread lingering beside you. A common notion of this album is honesty. Going to the most vulnerable and often difficult parts of the mind. The lead single, “Holy Grail,” features an airy guitar and calming bass following right behind. The song feels like the back and forth of a potential breakup. Knowing something is wrong and must change, but deciding if the relationship can mend itself. Guitarist Nate Delizzotti offers an emotional yet hopeful guitar riff.
The album's musical tone switches gears in “Ready or Not” with a more playful, melancholic sound. The guitar is nostalgic with reverb effects. Yet Burns is susceptible to thoughts of time passing him by, feeling as though he is running out of time, and the burden that comes with it. “Waiting for the right time, always delayed / Off the beaten path, led astray / Pursuit of anything ideal / Keeping yourself away from what is real.”
“Last Call” is a short, indie-pop nod to something existential. Embracing the uncertainty of getting older and making it a form of motivation - but still having those unwanted thoughts lingering. “Fooling You” and “Punchline” explore the confusion of growth, with Burns realizing he can’t outrun his past and must cope with the harrowing, empty thoughts. The soft dynamics of drums and bass, along with the more prominent, breezy guitar, make it feel like an intimate moment. “So Suddenly” is a relaxed, bittersweet track characterized by a warm bassline and soft vocals. It follows the unfortunate feelings of being on a “different timeline” from someone you once carried close. It’s the conflicting feelings of nostalgia and longing for what was, even if the person doesn’t align with you anymore.
“I See Myself In You” is Burns at his most vulnerable. Following a conversation with his parents, he was inspired to write this track. He’s realized with age he is not so different from his parents, noticing the change in their relationship from a parental role to more of a friendship. Burns wonders if he will one day be in the same position, having the same convo with his child. His voice is soft yet packs so much emotion. The gradual build in guitar glides with Burns’ vocals until the end is a relaxing breath, finding comfort in this comparison.
Finishing with “Lucky, Forever,” it wraps this emotional album up in an encouraging course. Inspired by his bandmates' marriages, it navigates life's challenges with a sense of gratitude for the people you share it with. With lyrics like “Forever isn’t so long with you” and “So lucky, so lucky,” Burns shares the beauty behind these relationships and the comfort that comes with having someone to face the complications of being human with.
Vacations is playing a small run of shows in October while hinting at an upcoming tour. Campbell Burns is playing a solo show in New York for the 10-year anniversary of “Vibes” on November 14. Listen to Pursuit of Anything, out now.