We don’t do much punk here, but do cover melodic punk off and on. This one is experimental punk/ indie/alt/rock – raw and acidic from the artist VAYA. It also shows how wide the umbrella is for Christian music today, and we do note that underlying what we do here we are Christians who do this magazine (although we cover a wide range of music – we cover what we like is what I always say!). This album is based around “All is Vanity.”
The phrase “all is vanity” is from the book of Ecclesiastes 1:2, where it is often translated as “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity” in the King James Version. The verse, and the central theme of the book, expresses that worldly pursuits like fame, wealth, and labor are ultimately meaningless and fleeting. Another key verse, Ecclesiastes 1:14, states, “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit”. Ecclesiastes 1:2: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity…”
That is the starting point for what we have here –
Allow me to share the press review with you:
“I wasn’t expecting this…“All is vanity and a chasing after wind.”« Its into the chaos that I met Jesus Peace and Love » I’m going to keep it simple, without frills or artifice.Simply tell my story, in a few words, jotted down on paper, through ALBUM 10 by ELUSIVE THUGS. I wasn’t expecting to make a music album this year.I was pretty relaxed with my kids.I wasn’t expecting God to call me… I’d even say, “Break down my door!” :)))If there’s one thing this album has brought me and offered me today, it’s the encounter with Christ and his Way of the Cross.It’s through all these terrible, explosive torments that I welcomed peace, that peace that only the healing of Jesus can offer your soul. So I often say, “It is in chaos that you find peace.”It is through all these struggles that I learned to welcome love with an open heart, true love, the love of God, our Father, the love He has placed within each ofus.Learning to surrender to Him—He left me no choice…”
VAYA tells us:
I’m not here to tear down the current system; I’m simply putting my heart and thoughts on the table, whether they’re unsettling, considered, or not. Everyone has their own path, and I’d be delighted to share mine and let a growing community benefit from it, because my heart—yes, my heart, despite its struggles—is big, even infinitely big.Ultimately, what ALBUM 10 has given me is the chance to go back home.And all I wish for today is that each of you who enter this chapter of music may also rediscover the warmth of what we call home,” this home sweet home this inner soft and gentle spark, this flame that dwells within you with such beauty and delicacy, given by our Creator: Learn to love it, cultivate it, respect it, and honour it for what it is and what it defines within you.This back home, the dwelling place of God, the one that welcomes you at every moment and waits only for you to take the step of entering it. For it is entirely up to us to welcome the light into our lives, to be its own temple.
The Lord will never force the door of your heart, much less that of your soul.”The Kingdom of God is among you.” So what are you waiting for to seize it?
With that in mind…
My review.
The album came out on December 24, 2025 and is currently available through Bandcamp and
“Hell Ya” starts with a deep bass feel and the cymbals before this heavy anarchic spiral. Vocally, Siouxsie and the Banshees came to mind a little in places, although this is a bit more trippy. A venomous little piece!
“Bump It” I liked for its energy and a heavy downbeat. The piece echoes and delivers after it closes. A powerful piece positing itself on the edge of heaven and where the artist returns home.
“Ever In” – “Rock as you pray” – No messing here, the juxtaposition of chanting with discord and a wall of sound occurs over a shouted out anthem and a stripped down guitar riff. The teenage me would have really liked this, especially the instrumental break mid-section. Around this stage I began to get into the album more, grasp it more.
“!Stand up!” There is always something exciting about jungle drums – this is a real drum led track, more than a heartbeat, it drives the car. It vocally calls back toward itself and then picks up a mean riff. You move through the demons in life sometimes and find your way through if you can.
“Blow Out” is a textured track, like many on the album, running to over 7 minutes. It switches to a lighter, almost melodic, chorus mid-section that runs counter to much of the sound here. The track plays with heavy instrumental and is a track that you appreciate best with the headphones on and the sound up.
“Step In” moves me toward Toyah in her wild era! It is a slow, grinding track that, again, knows how to use the cymbals and layers of build in the instrumentalisation. It’s dark and acidic.
“Light Up” runs to 10.27 and is the longest track on the album. It is long enough to present different tones and build slowly. The piece moves toward aspects of blues and has a strong vocal delivery. Interesting.
“Ride In” – I liked the guitar work on this, it plays with a basic riff and builds up from it to a range of powerful moments celebrating the “beautiful child of mine.” It was my favourite on the album, and it blends different moods seamlessly.
“Break In” continues with a raw sound, unbottled and with the capacity to shake the studio walls. It strikes me as experimental and, again, uses the drums to effect. They are up in the mix and roll the beat. It is probably not a favourite of mine, but fits the feel of the album fine.
“Log Out” signs of the album with some fire and energy. It switches into a chant style of chorus and it has a great riff underpinning the sound.
So…Not our usual fare? No.
Not the sort of album I’d instinctively reach for on a quiet evening either, if you know my reviews here on the magazine you will know I usually cover blues and jazz.
But perhaps that’s the point.
“Album 10” doesn’t aim for comfort — Rooted in Ecclesiastes, it leans hard into chaos, distortion and urban urgency, and it commits fully to that vision. Whether it’s your preferred sound or not, there’s no denying it knows exactly what it’s doing.
In a world chasing noise for noise’s sake, this has purpose — wrestling toward peace rather than away from it. And sometimes, stepping outside your usual lane is the only way to hear something honestly.
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Stream on
https://soundcloud.com/elusive-thugs-130939959/sets/album-10
https://elusivethugs.bandcamp.com/album/album-10-2
By Stevie Ritson
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