Safehouse just released his new album, Collision Course, on February 28th, 2025, a gritty departure from his former indie synth music.
Instead of the synthy sounds that were explored prior, this album is more raw in both production value and instrumentation usage. Synths are traded for electronic strings and drums, and the smooth sonics are traded for a bit more of a punchy growl. Collision Course is pulled forward by catchy guitar riffs, a growl to its bass, and an anthemic vocal nature that begs to be sung (or shouted) along to. But, each track deviates a bit from the last, exploring a range of energies and playing with how different undertones and vocal flows can bring a dynamic experience to the table.
The songs seem to flow up and down in energy, which does well at providing energetic tracks to keep listeners interested with more emotional cuts dashed in. For example, the second track, “Bad Attitude,” has a more nostalgic punk influence in its rush forward, which is a bit of an energy pickup from “Mockingbird,” which has a little bit of a West Coast sound. Then, the third track. Later on, there’s the track “If You Want Me to Believe,” which pulls the energy back, makes the sound a bit smoother, and serves as an optimistic uplift with a heavier pop influence.
The very next track, “Keep Your Spirit Living,” pulls the sound back even more and serves as an emotional cut with a somber emotion to it and a nice energy pick up toward the end. This flows into the more moderate pacing of “Set You Free.” A song later on, “Out of Sight (A Telling End),” is then a high octane rush with a lot of punch to it and a growly drive in the instrumentation. The album ends with “Forever Ending, Goodbye,” which then pulls things back for an emotional ending.
There is a sort of up-and-down to things, and in this up and down, the emotions explored throughout the album follow suit. “Mockingbird” gets into a story coming from the voice of someone who has been lied to and had their time wasted by another who is said to “prey on the weak and give back to the thieves.” After this, “Bad Attitude” is about facing problems head-on, even if it’s with clenched fists and an attitude with it.
Later in the album, there are tons of other albums that seem to either capture emotional experiences or tell stories. “If You Mant Me to Believe” is more of an optimistic track on love with a verse of contrast in it. “Keep Your Spirit Living On” is a deep cut about loss and grieving. Then, “Around Again” explores the pain that comes from being cheated on.
Overall, this is a well-put-together nostalgic album that shows the range of influence that Safehouse can work with. It’s something fresh to his discography, and it works with new influences cleanly and cohesively.
Safehouse is an independent project by West Palm Beach-based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Dillon Vetere. He typically makes synthy indie rock and has previously released two EPs, a single, and another album. Being such a different sound, Collision Course shows that this artist can and will play around with new sounds and ideas, and that gives a sense of intrigue for the future of what Safehouse may release moving forward!
Written by Sage Plapp
Where to find Safehouse
