Sinai Vessel – “Ground Swim” (October 30, 2020)

“Ground Swim” immediately felt fresh but felt like you were putting on an old album you loved, like something you never knew you missed.

By Matt Davis

To be completely honest, Sinai Vessel is a very new artist to me, but I am glad I stumbled across them. The instrumentation is simple but extremely effective. Their latest release, “Ground Swim” feels like an album you already loved but can’t wait to get to know.

The sweet simplicity of the guitar riffs and Caleb Cordes vocals leave the strong songwriting on full display. The vulnerable tone of Cordes’s vocals is reminiscent of something that was lost in the late 90’s and early 2000’s indie rock scene. This album brings me back to albums I loved in the past. The delicate intensity of the vocals brought me back to Jonah’s vocals in Far’s “Water and Solutions” but balanced with a touch of the boyish playfulness of the vocals and songwriting of Ben Kweller.  

The writing in this album feels effortless. The song structure is clean and well put together but not predictable. Without any preconceived notion of what the lyrics are about, the album communicates the thoughtfulness of inward contemplation without coming across fragile and defeated. It’s energetic yet comforting. 

Overall, “Ground Swim” is a great album, it’s fun and energetic yet vulnerable and delicate. The texture is smooth, but not at all overly polished. Sinai Vessel could pump out three more albums just like this and I would not mind.