The Panic Years is Bradley Simpson’s first solo album. Having been a fan of Brad and meeting him a few times, I was excited to hear this album. Bradley has a completely different style from the Vamps with this album; it is not like the usual pop-centric sound of his band’s earlier work. The Panic Years is more rock and mature. The album is roughly 37 minutes long and has 12 songs throughout. 

Tracklist

1. Cry At The Moon
2. Picasso
3. Carpet Burn
4. Daisies
5. Holy Grail
6. Getting Clear
7. Not Us Anymore
8. Almost
9. Favourite Band
10. Always Like This
11. The Band’s Not Breaking Up
12. The Panic Years

The Panic Years opens with songs that immediately set the stage for this shift in artistic direction. The sound of this album has soft, subtle rock instrumentals, which form a perfect backdrop for Bradley’s vocal evolution. His voice is fantastic, and he sounds more mature; despite Brad’s soft and smooth voice, it’s also deeper and heavier than his previous work.

The songs all have stories, and I think many of them are based on Bradley’s own experiences. Each song is vastly different from the other, which I thought was a great choice. With different sounds, music, vocal styles, and tunes, this made the album feel authentic and unique, unlike any other album I’ve heard before. My favorite songs were Not Us Anymore and Favourite Band. 

I enjoyed this album but prefer more fun pop songs; unfortunately, Brad’s album is less than one that’s easy to dance to, like the Vamps’ songs. This is just my personal preference for music and the style of what I prefer.

Overall, The Panic Years is a bold and successful step for Bradley Simpson. It showcases his artist talent and shows him a new side. Fans of The Vamps might find it a departure from the upbeat, infectious tunes they know and love, but they will appreciate the depth that Bradley brings to the album. The Panic Years is a must-listen for his fans and newcomers. I feel like many people who don’t enjoy the Vamps will love this album, so I recommend listening to it.