Last April, Alex Vans released the double A 45 "Velocirapture" to much fanfare. Fans had waited a long time for a follow up to Alex's debut album DJ Booth. Luckily for us all, this time we didn't have to wait long for yet another single. "Somebody To Lose" is a favorite at live shows already, but this record cranks up the tempo and intensity. It starts like a power-pop party-rocker and dives right into it's infectious expanding groove. The best part, of course, is the chorus. Sweet and melodic, a contrast to the hard bass-driven verses. The entire record sounds beautiful. Punchy and bright guitars swirl around Alex's smooth vocals. Snappy drums are joined by percussive punctuations and bits of studio laughter, adding a layer of sonic intrigue.

Together with the two tracks on Velocirapture, we have the beginnings of a very ambitious album. None of the three tracks are much alike, tied together only by Alex's voice and skillfull melodic rock. Hopefully we wont have to wait too long for a full length, or at least another single. Check it out on Spotify! And don't miss Alex Vans & The Hide Away playing for The Circus Life Two Year Anniversary Concert at the 9:30 Club on Friday, August 28th   --Natan Press

It's been a few years since the release of Alex Vans' first full length DJ Booth. It's a solid and catchy record, full of promise. After recording, Alex formed his backup band The Hide Away, and they've played some 200 shows. Recently, most of those shows have been tributes to Beck, and fans (including myself) were starting to wonder when Alex was gonna fulfill the promise of the first album. I'm happy to say the wait is over.

Vans and The Hide Away are dropping their first new single since DJ Booth, "Velocirapture" on May 5th. It's a bright rocker, exceeding the expectations of earlier work. It's at least as catchy, with a deeper, more formed and practiced sound. Somewhere between Tom Petty and Beck, Alex has found his home. I, for one, believe in the Raptor.

You can catch Alex and The Hide Away at Iota May 9th for a Beck tribute set (part of a huge 1996 showcase featuring tributes to Ras Kass, Weezer, The Cranberries, Fiona Apple and Tori Amos), before The "Velocirapture" Single Release Party, on May 16th at Hill Country Barbecue (w/ Short Lives). --Natan Press