VRSTY - icon
Updated: 3 hours ago
VRSTY have never been a band interested in colouring inside the lines, and icon is another bold reminder of just how exciting genre-blending can be when it comes from a place of genuine identity. Led by vocalist Joey Varela, the New York City outfit has built their sound around the collision of R&B, pop, and alternative metal, bringing together infectious grooves, soulful vocals, and crushing heaviness without sacrificing the personality that makes them stand out. Set for release on October 23, 2026, via Spinefarm Records, icon finds the band embracing their versatility while exploring the messy, complicated emotions that make their music so relatable.
Since the release of their 2020 debut, Welcome Home, VRSTY have steadily carved out a space of their own within the alternative scene. Their ability to move effortlessly between shimmering melodies, danceable rhythms, and explosive breakdowns has always been a defining strength, and icon builds on that foundation with an emphasis on hooks and atmosphere. Rather than treating its contrasting influences as separate ingredients, the album allows them to coexist naturally, creating a sound that feels equally at home in a late-night club as it does in a packed alternative-rock venue.
“sugar” sets the tone with an immediately infectious energy, pairing a playful musical approach with a darker lyrical undercurrent. Varela describes the track as a love song about addiction, exploring the dangerous point at which desire becomes indistinguishable from dependency. That tension gives the song more depth than its buoyant exterior initially suggests, demonstrating VRSTY’s knack for disguising uncomfortable truths beneath irresistible melodies. It is an effective introduction to an album that frequently finds its most compelling moments in the space between emotional vulnerability and sheer sonic exuberance.
“face down” takes a similarly accessible approach, focusing on the frustration of two people who cannot seem to make a relationship work but choose to remain together anyway. Its central premise captures the kind of emotional contradiction that runs throughout icon: knowing something is broken does not necessarily make it easier to walk away. There is an immediacy to the track that suits its subject matter, with VRSTY leaning into the familiarity of its emotional conflict rather than overcomplicating the delivery. “dear whoever” and “fake” continue the album’s exploration of personal relationships and difficult feelings, helping establish a thematic thread that gives the record cohesion despite its stylistic range.
One of the album’s most obvious highlights is “ez2find,” an '80s-inspired, groove-heavy number featuring Brian Butcher of The Home Team and Skyler Accord of Issues. Built around an undeniable sense of rhythm, the track leans into its dancefloor ambitions without losing its rock sensibilities. The guest appearances complement VRSTY’s approach, adding further character to a song that feels tailor-made for a live audience. Its playful confidence is infectious, showcasing the band’s ability to embrace their pop instincts without diluting the heavier elements that anchor their sound.
However, icon is not content to remain in party mode. “grief machine” emerges as its emotional centrepiece, confronting the grief and unresolved pain that can linger when loss goes unprocessed. What began as a song about Varela’s late dog developed into a much more personal examination of his tendency to suppress difficult emotions rather than face them. That vulnerability gives the track a different kind of weight, allowing the album’s darker atmosphere to serve a meaningful purpose beyond contrast or aesthetic. It is an especially revealing moment from a vocalist whose music has consistently offered a sense of connection to listeners struggling with self-worth, isolation, and complicated relationships.
Elsewhere, “over the moon” provides another opportunity for the band to explore the interplay between melody and emotional intensity, while icon's closing track “what’s the point,” featuring Intervals and Cartographer, brings additional collaborative energy to the closing stretch. The latter pairing suggests a willingness to push beyond the band's established palette, reinforcing the experimental spirit that has defined VRSTY from the beginning.
What makes icon work is not simply the number of genres it incorporates, but the way those influences reflect the emotional contradictions at the heart of its songwriting. The sweetness of a melody can sit alongside the ugliness of dependency; a danceable rhythm can carry feelings of insecurity; and a heavy passage can provide an outlet for grief that words alone struggle to express. Throughout the record, VRSTY demonstrate an understanding that these seemingly opposing elements are often inseparable in real life.
There is also a strong sense of accessibility running through the album. VRSTY's music is designed to make an immediate impression, whether through a memorable hook, a propulsive groove, or a sudden burst of heaviness. Yet beneath that inviting surface is a band interested in giving listeners something more substantial to connect with. That combination has long been central to their appeal, and icon continues to build on the communal spirit they have fostered through years of touring and connecting with audiences who recognize their own struggles in Varela’s lyrics.
Ultimately, icon feels like a confident next step for VRSTY, one that embraces the band's genre-defying identity while allowing greater room for vulnerability. Its strongest moments arrive when infectious songwriting and emotional honesty work in tandem, proving that music can be simultaneously fun, heavy, and deeply personal. VRSTY have spent years refining their distinctive blend of sounds, and here they continue to demonstrate that their greatest strength lies in refusing to be confined by any one of them. With icon, the band deliver an energetic, emotionally charged record that invites listeners to dance through the chaos, sit with the pain, and find a little solidarity in both.
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