Vansire Deliver Again with New EP "After Fillmore County"

Image courtesy of Vansire

Minnesota-based indie-pop duo Vansire, consisting of Josh Augustin and Sam Winemiller, return with a new seven-track EP titled After Fillmore County. Named after the county in their home state, After Fillmore County is the duo’s first studio collection in over two years after their 2018 album, Angel Youth.

The EP’s opening track “The Latter Teens” showcases a different guitar-heavy style, compared to Vansire’s usual dreamy synth-led sound. This song was featured on the duo’s latest live EP, Live From the Decorah Farmers Market, and consisted of a stripped-down version based on a single guitar and keyboard. In contrast to the live debut of the track, the studio version features drums that will make your head bob as you drive down the road. Coincidentally, the lyrics paint pictures of long highways and endless seas, as well as depict a budding teenage love.

After listening to just the first few seconds, “Every Time Around” became my favorite track on the entire EP. The song has strong similarities to the duo’s 2018 single, “That I Miss You,” bearing a similar chord progression at the start of the track. As the first verse continues, more instruments become prominent, like cowbell and guitar. A slight crescendo smoothly transitions into a super catchy melody within the chorus that had me humming for days, alongside these lyrics that talk about a comforting presence:

The night got cold, there was smoke in the clouds

Then you came and found me when the world had me down

The words may fall short of something profound

But every time I'm with you I'm just glad you're around

The third track and lead single, “Central Time” follows closely behind as my second favorite song from the EP. “Central Time” showcases the use of funk and disco-esque synths that distance itself from Vansire’s usual dream-pop sound. It is also the first track on the EP to include a featured artist in Mick Jenkins. Vansire has previously featured rappers in their songs to compliment their dreamy sounds, including Chester Watson who featured excellently in “Star Catcher.” The danceable song ends with Jenkins’ verse which paints themes of a relationship’s difficulty dealing with different time zones.

Bi-coastal I’m just one flight away

I just pray the plane never tidal wave

Pray you never crash when you type my name

Well fuck a text message just call me back I need to FaceTime

Two hours ahead don’t waste time

Précis Two” spotlights rapper Ivy Sole, who has worked with Vansire before, featuring on the track “Set Piece” from Angel Youth. Uniquely, the vocals are solely performed by Sole - see what I did there? - with the song being the first on the EP to not feature Vansire vocalist Josh Augustin. Lasting only a minute and twelve seconds, “Précis Two” is a song that I really wish was longer; the slow drums, sexy synth melodies, and seductive lyrics by Sole create a soothing track that I’ll definitely have saved for… certain situations.

Hard as hell to keep my composure

And when the miles disappear

And the inches accrue

With your lips on my neck and the rest of you too

“To Not Pretend” opens with a muffled conversation and laughter that sounds as if I’m watching an old VHS tape I found hidden in my basement. The track consists of a guitar loop and vocals by Augustin that pan from ear to ear, complementing the song’s atmospheric sound.

The EP’s title track “Fillmore County” features frequent collaborator FLOOR CRY. The dynamic duo of Vansire and FLOOR CRY can be heard on Angel Youth’s, “Nice to See You” and FLOOR CRY’s “Next Best Thing.” The song opens with acoustic guitar strums that transition into Augustin’s soothing vocals. FLOOR CRY’s verse speaks of a complicated, deceptive relationship on the brink of ending.

Scared it’s the last time

That I’ll ever see you

If we don’t speak again

How can I forgive you?

But you’ve got a hold on me

It’s kind of like magic

Yeah it splits me right in half

When everything’s a trick

After Fillmore County’s closing track, “Reflection No. 6” is quite possibly the most relaxing track on the EP. The song leads with piano chords that make me feel like I’m rising up to heaven. As the track slightly opens up with a soft bass drum in the background, Augustin’s short verse closes out the song as he mentions an inescapable view of hometown fields.

Vansire shows off their musical style in a whole new way with After Fillmore County. They take their sound in a new direction while sticking to their hypnagogic pop roots, and they showcase this through the inclusion of their familiar pop sound in “Every Time Around,” the danceable beats and funk/disco inspirations in “Central Time,” and the slow and seductive vibes in “Précis Two.” With songs that provide listeners with visuals of long highways and endless seas, this EP is a perfect one to blast in the car during a road trip with some friends.

Check out the full EP here: