Nick Vivid is a retro-style artist who unifies sounds of pop and rock from various decades to fulfil his ambition to get audiences moving and thriving. ‘Volatile’ is his latest endeavour, a soul-pop venture that is equally carefree as it is brooding.

After being brought up on glam-rock and being part of numerous musical projects, including bands from New York’s underground scene, Vivid has explored enough avenues to know exactly what to channel into his fourth studio album.

'Volatile' is creative with its range of electronic, low-fidelity sounds. On ‘Too Toxic’, electronic phone-dial tones echo back and forth as drums take the track into a strut. “You’re too toxic for me / You’re too much”. ‘First Kiss’ continues the upbeat rhythm and leaves the moment ready with an inviting synth segment.

Nonchalance over driving, catchy beats capture the spirit of Vivid as a busy, lively New Yorker who has no time for negativity. On the title track, keys are like hypnotic drips as though the performer is halfway between dance and contemplation.

On ‘Now or Never’, the title words reverberate over contrasting chords to give the impression that the artist is eager for an answer, or action, yet his words float over trance-inducing ambiance. He has a dazzling ability to inject vitality even into his moodier tracks.

This album is said to be a tribute to his home, and its contrasting moods show both sides of the city: the exhilarating rooftop dancefloors at night and the reflection that takes hold after the party, or on the subway. Vivid’s assertive falsetto over heavy synthesisers has a similar nerve to the Scissor Sisters, whose sound and aesthetic are also rooted in New York’s nightlife.

Having proven his grit as a downtown solo artist, ‘None of Your Business’ – with its spongey synths as he sings, “Outside, so tired of looking in / And this crowd won't let you forget it” – shows that, not only is this album a tribute to his home, but also to his younger self. When commenting on the story behind the track, he says, "All this pressure to conform to these local lifestyle norms - even by my closest friends - was just claustrophobic in so many ways."

‘The Softest Landing’ best exhibits the album’s cinematic storytelling with a mystical opening: you can imagine Vivid walking out to a fogged stage. “I just don’t know how to come down”, he sings, and despite the pillow-perfect groove, the notion of being so high you fear a blunt crash back to Earth underpins the tenderness of the album’s emotional side

Vivid’s individualism contrasts with his conscience on ‘Stone Cold Rainbow’ as the ambiance intensifies again and he becomes a little more pensive. ‘I Get Free (Part 1)’ follows suit: “I’d like to see the whole world live in peace, but if that don’t happen, not my problem”. 

Artists like Vivid are, of course, the least responsible for the lack of peace in the world, despite knowing that, he still admits, “I can’t tell the world get off my shoulders” on ‘Weight of the World’.

‘Volatile’ showcases Nick Vivid’s conscience and compassionate world-view. Paired with an intriguing musical craftsmanship, it reflects the multifaceted artist he’s built himself into, while presenting some of the best sounds and atmospheres to come out of New York City.