No Place Like Home is the third studio album by Australian indie pop band Vacations, released on 12 January 2024 through No Fun Records. Recorded in Los Angeles where the band recently relocated, the album is lyrically informed by frontman Campbell Burns' diagnosis for obsessive–compulsive disorder.[1]
| No Place Like Home | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 12 January 2024 | |||
| Genre | Indie pop | |||
| Length | 32:43 | |||
| Label | No Fun | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Vacations chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from No Place Like Home | ||||
| ||||
Background and recording edit
Lead songwriter and vocalist of Vacations, Campbell Burns, said he had suffered with writer's block for two to three years preceding the album's release. He said this experience was linked to his journey receiving therapy and being diagnosed with obsessive–compulsive disorder.[2] Songs on No Place Like Home were composed as Burns listened back to voice recordings from his phone that he recorded while traveling through the United States.[2] The album was recorded in Los Angeles.[3]
Release and promotion edit
The album was preceded by four singles. "Next Exit" was released as the lead single alongside a music video on 14 April 2023. Written off the back of two international circuits in the United States and Mexico, it was Vacations' first new song since their 2020 album Forever in Bloom.[4] The second single, "Midwest", was issued on 9 June, coinciding with the announcement of Tourzilla, a joint tour across North America with Last Dinosaurs.[5] On 28 July, the third single "Terms & Conditions" was released.[6] Vacations announced the album's title, release date and track listing on 20 October 2023 alongside the issue of the fourth and final single "Close Quarters".[7][8]
Reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| The Australian |    [3] |
| Clunk | [9] |
No Place Like Home was received positively by reviewers. Writing for The Australian, Doug Wallen said despite Campbell's relatable but emotionally heavy subjects, "the music’s lighter and brighter delivery drives ever closer to what feels like resolution".[3] Issy Packer of English music publication Clunk called the record a "fun-filled, adventurous album from a very exciting band", particularly praising Burns' vocal performances and the emotional themes on display.[9]
Track listing edit
All tracks are written by Campbell Burns.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Next Exit" | 3:21 |
| 2. | "Slow Motion" | 3:34 |
| 3. | "No Place Like Home" | 3:25 |
| 4. | "Over You" | 2:26 |
| 5. | "Midwest" | 4:08 |
| 6. | "Arizona" | 2:00 |
| 7. | "Close Quarters" | 3:40 |
| 8. | "Off-Season" | 3:04 |
| 9. | "Terms & Conditions" | 4:04 |
| 10. | "Lost in Translation" | 2:56 |
References edit
- ^ Robin, Murray (15 January 2024). "Vacations Share Exuberant New Album 'No Place Like Home'". Clash. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ a b Enos, Morgan (17 January 2024). "Vacations' Campbell Burns On New Album 'No Place Like Home': OCD, Overcoming Writer's Block & Battling The Algorithm". Grammy Awards. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ a b c Wallen, Doug (13 January 2024). "Vacations shine light, bright sounds on dark lyrical themes". The Australian. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ Whines, Emma (14 April 2023). "Vacations Return With Bright New Single 'Next Exit'". The Music. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ Currell, Jason (12 June 2023). "Break Out Australian Band VACATIONS Share New Track "Midwest"; NA Tour On-Sale Now!". Nettwerk. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ "Australian Indie-Pop Band Vacations Release New Single 'Terms & Conditions'". The Daily Music Report. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ Murray, Robin (23 October 2023). "Vacations Launch New Album 'No Place Like Home'". Clash. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ Phillips, Greg (20 October 2023). "Vacations Announce New Album & Share New Single". Australian Musician. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ a b Packer, Issy (18 January 2024). "Review: Vacations – No Place Like Home". Clunk. Retrieved 23 January 2024.