Review by Nick Manduley

September 10, 2021

New Jersey indie-folkers Blue Vervain recently released their new dual-single Medicine / Something on August 27th via Mint 400 Records. The release follows the four-track EP Live TBT, a collection of live recordings released in July 2021. The first track, “Medicine,” kicks off with the shimmering vocal prowess of guitarist and frontman Jon Khan. Khan’s bright acoustic guitar layers wondrously with Gabe Valle’s moving string performance and drummer Ori Yekutiel’s mid-tempo beats. Khan’s memorable vocal melodies reverberate in the listener’s mind as the titular lyric “you gave me medicine” brings the track to a close.

“Something” offers vibrant textures from the layering of strings and keyboards over Khan’s acoustic strumming and seamless harmonies. The emotive composition leaves the listener hanging on Khan’s sublime lyricism: “Something new, something old / Something’s cheap, if something sold.”

Medicine / Something is now available on all major streaming services.

Nick Manduley is an aspiring music journalist and musician from Bradley Beach, NJ. He is currently an intern at Relix Magazine where he helps produce and curate online content. Since 2016, he has provided guitars and vocals for the local punk band Drive, Kid. Drive, Kid released an EP and a full-length album in 2018, and are currently recording their sophomore LP.