The Earthly Frames – ‘Vanity Pressing’ [Album Review]

The Earthly Frames, the musical brainchild of Gabriel Walsh, releases his new long player, Vanity Pressing, the latest chapter in his Rainbow Table series of albums, corresponding to the seven colors of the rainbow – ROYGBIV (and black and white). Vanity Pressing represents violet.

According to Walsh, Vanity Pressing explores “the double-edged nature of solipsism, the tension between depression and aggrandizement.” The album also sees him taking his experimental pop sound into more approachable pop territory.

Vocalists appearing on Vanity Pressing include Shirley Kudirka, Aloysius Fortune, Katherine Koherence, and Busayo Oninla, along with Graham Hopkins on drums. Timothy Stellenwork mastered the record.

Encompassing a dozen tracks, suggested entry points on Vanity Pressing include “Thought Rays,” with its dark, electro-pop textures riding a tight mid-tempo rhythm while mystery-laden vocals conjure up memories of Stevie Nicks.

A personal favorite because of its soft, gliding flow accented with popping, chiming tones, “IIVIIIΞ” travels on a silky, undulating melody that takes on an edgy guitar solo as the tune advances. There’s a warm, subdued, feel-good energy to this track.

Another favorite, “Incompetence,” offers retro-flavored dance surfaces topped by an evocative female voice. A round, throbbing bassline adds to the allure of the rhythm. The intro to “Gallows Girls” recalls Steely Dan’s “Do It Again,” and then shifts into a steady rhythmic pulse, underscoring fluting, twirling colors, giving the tune flavors of retro and space-age pop simultaneously.

The Earthly Frames, photo courtesy of artist

“Birthday Effect,” featuring the haunting voice of Shirley Kudika, exudes a musing melancholia that evokes suppressed memories of past birthdays and dreary prospects of future birthdays.

“Blow out the candles / Another year you’ve held on / Seizing the handle / Now nothing but stale oaths / Close the circle.”

Drenched in nostalgic aromas and tinted with new wave aspects, “Warren” provides listeners with the feeling of riding a carousel that, perhaps, reflects pointless exercise in the cycle of one’s life.

The closing track, “Series Circuit,” reveals a thumping dance rhythm and delicious, shadowy vocals conveying smoldering tones that summon up faintly portentous sensations.

More accessible and vibier, Vanity Pressing finds The Earthly Frames delivering a sound that shines a bit brighter. It’s not a radical change, but one that works well.

Vanity Pressing Track Listing:

1. Thought Rays
2. Read Rile…y
3. IIVIIIΞ
4. Blood Sugar
5. Incompetence
6. Beautiful Tyrant
7. Gallows Girls
8. Birthday Effect
9. Recoup DeVille
10. Warren
11. Ill ☆’d
12. Series Circuit

Run Time: 35:54
Release Date: September 8, 2025
Record Label: Independent