VC Pines' latest "Running" captures the isolating hustle and bustle of the city

New track "Running" finds VC Pines, also known as Jack Mercer, in a moment of introspection. Whilst earlier work in the band The Carnabys inclined towards anthemic choruses ideally belted out in spit-and- sawdust indie venues, as a solo act VC Pines is a different beast; with warm, funk-driven guitar lines forming a bedrock to explore feelings of self-doubt. The project is a conscious move towards a mellower, more alt-soul sound, underscored by rich production elements and a smooth falsetto.

"I’ve definitely taken a more alternative direction, focusing more on contemporary and unique sounds and pairing them with soulful vocals," he says of "Running". "I love working with huge contrasts, so for me, using sounds as imagery as a way to paint a modern picture, paired with the occasional ‘classic’ instrument such as trombone or rusty xylophones, and a classic soul voice is a perfect juxtaposition."

Despite the suave vocals and warmth of the instrumentation, there's still a jagged edge to the lyrics of "Running", whilst examining feelings of isolation and disempowerment. Going it alone has also precipitated a more experimental approach, inspired in part by his relationship with epilepsy. Mercer has previously spoken about experiencing synaesthesia, heightened feelings of déjà vu, nostalgia, and a blurring of senses which over time has fed into the creative process.

In fact, allowing different sounds and textures to seep together has been second nature to Mercer since childhood, when he would flit between the different genres of his dad's extensive CD collection. As a solo artist, he retains this multi-layered approach: "It all starts with writing a great song on one instrument, and then doing the best I can to fuck with it using influences from Childish Gambino, Glass Animals, Steve Lacy, Kendrick Lamar and King Krule, producing a blend of London traffic with hip hop grooves and soulful melodies.

London has also been an important cultural touchstone for Mercer, particularly its darker, more sordid side. "Running" explores the unsettling sensation of having a sprawling urban metropolis for a playground, while still feeling anonymous among its hordes. His 2021 EP Concrete focused on the city's eerie after-hours ambience, ill-judged afterparties, and ominous encounters – a sense of paranoia carried right through to "Running".

He explains that ultimately ""Running" is about loneliness, never feeling like you really fit into a group of friends. You know people from different pockets of London who tend to drift in and out of their lives every weekend and then disappear for a while? It's easier to hide addictions from people because no one’s really able to keep an eye on you."

On first listen, "Running" sounds like the part of a night out before things turn sour, a soundtrack for lowboy candles and delicate plumes of cigarette smoke – but there's an undercurrent of dread familiar to anyone who's ever tried to keep their head above water in a big city. No amount of CCTV surveillance, VC Pines implies, can compensate for the feeling of having someone actually watch out for you.