Redefining Rock: A Review of Velcrocranes’ Genre-Bending LP ‘What If I Die’

Velcrocranes takes you on a journey through life and death with their latest hard-rock album What If I Die, released on 27/10/23. This 9-track LP is a thought-provoking and complete work of art that dives deep into existentialism and the human experience. 

The band’s mission with this album is to make the listener question their own understanding of life, values, choices, and perception of death. This is evident in their powerful and intense singles, “Step Aside,” “Hold Your Breath,” and “Afterlife, Pt. 2,” which were released ahead of the complete project. Each single explores themes of the unknown and the ongoing battle between discrimination and tolerance. What sets Velcrocranes’ album apart from the rest is their ability to seamlessly infuse different musical genres into their hard-rock sound. Drawing influences from their roots in jazz, as well as the worlds of electronic and prog-rock, What If I Die is a refreshing and surprising listen from start to finish. 

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The band, made up of vocalist Efim, producer Nikita, guitarist/arranger Alex, bassist Bogdan, and songwriter Liza, has created a masterpiece with this album. Their individual talents are showcased in each track, from Efim’s powerful vocals to Alex’s intricate guitar riffs. Listeners will find themselves lost in the complex and yet relatable lyrics, as well as mesmerised by the skillful instrumentation. What If I Die is an album that demands to be listened to in its entirety, and each track builds upon the last, leaving the listener with a sense of introspection and contemplation. Velcrocranes has truly outdone themselves with this album, and it is clear that they have poured their hearts and souls into every aspect of it. What If I Die is an album that will not only entertain you but also make you think about the bigger questions in life. It is a must-listen for any music lover, and it is available now on all platforms.

UK City Limits