Widely known on the London circuit for his work in Hidden Charms and with Yak, Vincent Davies cuts a fine tall figure, having performed throughout the UK, Europe and parts of the USA over the years in bands and in his solo career but some reason hadn’t managed to lay down his own record.
This long time coming debut solo album Vindication is a culmination of years of work putting togther ideas and bringing his songs to life working with like-minded talented musicians, it also comes hot off the heels from Vincent’s Singles (2024-2025) release featuring 7 wholehearted songs including Days Like These, Good Life and Heavenly Soul. If you’ve heard these tracks then you’ll know what could be in store and will love this new offering from Vincent.
They say it takes an entire lifetime to write your first album, and then you have six months to come up with a second.
In my case, this is particularly true.
Vincent Davies
Working on multiple projects, juggling the pandemic as well as engaging with the trials and tribulations of daily life this project took some time to create the right kind of conditions for the right kind of magic to flourish, collaborating with long time friend and former band-mate Joshua Woolf with the initial studio session taking place in November 2025..
The songs were recorded at the SJF Studios in Hackney London spanning several sessions where the earlier works gave way to a fully fledged album of folk, rock, soul rag-time blues, with a thread of heartfelt New Orlean soul and storytelling that courses through this 10 track collection of songs with Vincent’s full bloodied – deep raspy charismatic and meaningful vocals projecting an unyielding character with stories that will lift the spirits of any listener, this is a beautifully created record harbouring warmth and joy in the cold times of modernity.
There are a few spoilers to be had here, as No Cure For a Narcissist has already been released as a single, and another single has also seen the light of day as just recently Vincent released another teaser for the album launching his video for the song Hide From The Light, featuring characters wearing masks to cover their true identities, a metaphor for how people live their daily lives, living behind the various closed doors we exist behind, but here Vincent stands clearly in the light proud of his new collection of songs strung together beautifully, you can find this exquisitely crafted video below:
Album Review
The album begins with They will Never Conquer Us, with an upfeat funk sandwiched between a snappy snare and melodic haunting vocals of Vincent and backing singers and a subtle brass section this is a tasty opening track, then in to the layered soulful swing of Hide From The Light, withb a big sixties sound – a playful song where the character reminisses on a simpler youthful past embracing the joy of life yet asking searching questions , the organ and harmonica work launches the feel good vibe to another level.
No Cure for a Narcissist is up next, stripping back the layers to a simple drum beat and acoustic guitars, a wonderfully earthy song.
I started The Fire would seem is one of the main tracks of Davies’ sophomore album with wonderfully polished guitars and a more rockesque feel than the songs before, the break with the guitar solos, with lyrics like the good die young and I severed the ties of the good and the bad from the days before – make this a standout track that defines the new direction of Davies’ work.
Lonesome Tuesaday is a song thats part country part hillbilly old town Americana seting the song agsainst a backdrop of a slow waltz with beautiful brush drumwork.
Heavenly Soul hangs its lyrics on a gentle slow guitar melody, olne could imagine this being played in the small hours at a friends house after a night out, or performed exquistely at an ornate venue with piano work giving a fuller feel to this ode to loved lost ones.
Blind Leading the Blind – a funky uptown groover of a song, with a hornsection and a feel reminiscent of The Beatles, in the style of John Lennon it would seem, a wonderful feel to this song.
Start All Over Again – A song that would feel at home if put on a record player and played in Nashville or Peckham, with a sweeet swing the song draws you in to sit by the fire and enjoy the company of Davies’ lyrics.
Energy Vampires – a dark moody and gnarly vibe points the finger at the people that waste your time or energy, a captain beefheart vibe with swell harmonica solos and nailing down the tempo in unison with a plunging bass, a track with tons of swagger.
That’s The Way It Goes (Sometimes) closes the album with a repise and choir in Davies’ backpocket a slow swamp-blues folk number to send the listener off with an encore for the album.
‘Vindication’ – In Summary
Vindication is an exciting LP and the influences of the sixties and The Beatles shine through on several tracks, with Davies’ vision this is a playful optimistic album that firmly puts a smile on your face. With a fusion of folk, blues, country and splashes of rock that is bound to get your toes tapping, whistling and moving and reaching for a favourite drink. With a good bunch of instruments performed by Vincent and accompanied by friends from other projects this is a wonderfully put together album with first class performances.
Vindication is out on November 15th 2026.
Tracklist
- They Will Never Conquer Us
- Hide From The Light
- No Cure For a Narcissist
- I Started The Fire
- Lonesome Tuesday
- Heavenly Soul
- Blind Leading The Blind
- Start All Over Again
- Energy Vampires
- That’s The Way It Goes (Nowadays)
You can purchase Vincent Davies’ new record, out on release on November 15th by Stray Music.
