Qulture Magazine

Let’s take a look at the new single ‘£2 VBL’ from young Scottish singer-songwriter Grady Kinnell from Kelty. He’s been writing and playing music since he was only 16 and never looked back.

My first impression when hearing the track for the first time is that Grady has a very similar sound to artists like Sam Fender, or at least in the same genre and range. The song itself is very catchy with a repetitive chorus which is easy to sing along to and not too many lyrics to remember, if like me you like to be able to blasts tunes out in the car and pretend your having your own little karaoke session.

The song offers a candid look at the weariness of a long night out when all you truly desire is the comfort of your own bed. The core sentiment, revolves around the longing to get home, a stark contrast to the late-night shenanigans of friends.

Kinnell paints a picture of someone who is just not cut out for the “all night long” party scene, preferring the quiet solace of sleep, over observing friends’ attempts to “get a girl in bed.” There’s a clear sense of being the odd one out, the one who just wants the night to end, even when friends are still caught up in their partying. The repetitive emphasis on the desire for home underscores the depth of this need, making it an anthem for anyone who has ever found themselves in the same situation.

Grady has kept it quite simple for this single, which some people might not appreciate but I think the simplicity is what makes most hits, a hit. The rawness of it just being his guitar with no other instruments involved really showcases the pureness in his voice, which sounds very sweet and warming, but also familiar in a nice way.

Through the second chorus Grady has layered vocals on top of each other, creating nice harmonies with himself. If you were just to look at the lyrics alone, you might think this song looks rather short, but the way he carries the verses and chorus still make up a track just over two minutes in length.

Talking a little more about the lyrics, I can see a lot of people, young and old relating with this track. The song being about someone who isn’t into the same kind of partying lifestyle as their friends but perhaps feeling like they should be, is something we have all experienced at one time or another. Now, as a thirty-something year old, I can definitely relate, but it’s refreshing to see this outlook from one of today’s younger generations and mature beyond his years.

The single is out now, and you can listen to it below. I think Grady has a long career in the music industry ahead of him, so I recommend you give him a follow on socials and keep and eye out for what the young singer-songwriter has up his sleeve next.