VEGA – Only Human [Japanese Edition +1] (2018)

British melodic rock sensation VEGA are ready to release “Only Human” next Friday, their brand new album via Frontiers Music, and tomorrow appear this Japanese Edition plus a bonus track.
Produced by themselves, Vega also teamed up with legendary Canadian musician and producer Harry Hess of Harem Scarem mixing & mastering the album.

There’s no need to second guess a new Vega album. It’s another great album of modern, fresh AOR / melodic rock this time with certain edge. As vocalist Nick Workman has stated, “We wear our love of ’80s rock music on our sleeves … We aren’t trying to rehash anything: the sound we have achieved is 100% Vega. We didn’t want to try and guess what people expect and get it wrong.”

The new album kicks off with ‘Let’s Have Fun Tonight’, an uptempo rocker with a strong bass line and clear vocals. The following ‘Worth Dying For’ is simply AOR / melodic hard rock ear candy, thanks to a prominent and catchy chorus.
‘Mess You Made’ rises with a sweet guitar line and tasty synths over a big beat from the rhythm section. The title cut, ‘Only Human’, is another AOR gem with a bit lighter texture, a fine vocal arrangement and another memorable refrain. A favorite.

‘Standing Still’ is primo modern melodic rock with sweet verses, in this Japanese Edition also featured with a different mix as bonus track, subtle than the original.
‘Fade Away’ returns to the edgy melodic rock, yet not without emphasis on harmony, melody and groove. Finishing the album, ‘Go To War’ turns on a lively rhythm and groove from the bass / drums and another superb Workman vocal arrangement.

Vega is one of the leading acts from the current, modernized, renewed AOR / Melodic Rock scene.
“Only Human” is full of top class songwriting, lush melodies, and excellent vocals. Throughout, and as usual, Marcus Thurston delivers skillful and soaring guitar solos, more prominent than before.
This one ranks among the best of the year.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

01. Let’s Have Fun Tonight
02. Worth Dying For
03. Last Man Standing
04. Come Back Again
05. All Over Now
06. Mess You Made
07. Only Human
08. Standing Still
09. Gravity
10. Turning Pages
11. Fade Away
12. Go To War
13. Standing Still (Alternate Mix) (Japan Bonus Track)

Nick Workman: Lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar and wall hitter
Tom Martin: Bass guitar
Marcus Thurston: Lead Guitar
James Martin: Keyboards
Mikey Kew: Guitar, backing vocals
Martin “Hutch” Hutchinson: Drums

Pre Order:
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/KICP-1904
.