One of the things we appreciate the most in ‘Outside of Me’ is its understated softness. In fact, given its vocal-focused outlook, it’s quite surprising how such a mellow, evocative offering would arise from a band. The songwriting is lush and meaningful, exhibiting a gentle and elegant character that would be more fitting for a solo project. Yet, once we take into account the talented creatives behind Vemalo, everything starts to make sense.
Hailing from the British capital, Vemalo features Vedantha Kumar (formerly of indie folk band August and After) on vocals and guitars, Matthew Davis (formerly signed to EMI) on guitar and bass, and Louis Pearson on piano. Due to their influences and eclectic past experiences, Vemalo transform themselves into a kaleidoscopic and relatable outfit, one championing intelligible lyricism, smooth pop and folk instrumental formulas, often drenched in whispered jazz flavourings.
Kumar’s gloss-coated, sky-reaching vocals wrap listeners into a rounded, gentle listening experience, one that’s hard to forget. Speaking about the inspiration behind the ‘Outside of Me’, Matthew Davis explains: “I was reading a novel by Rupert Thomson in which he uses the phrase ‘outside of me’ and it spoke to me about how so much of our lives are outside of our control – including love…”
Recommended! Discover ‘Outside of Me’ on Spotify:
