If there’s one thing that’s been clear since the beginning, it’s that Thetans aren’t here to play safe. Formed by a group of expats and rooted in Hanoi’s alternative underground, the band has never cared much for genre labels, even though they often describe their sound as “proto-punk.” That descriptor kind of works, but it also wildly undersells what’s actually happening in their music.
Their debut EP “Highly-enriched Vibes” was a burst of noisy, punk-rooted chaos—full of sharp guitars, unhinged vocals, and a rawness that felt both honest and confrontational. Now, with their follow-up “Worldwide Vibes,” released just a year later, the band dials things down a notch in energy, but opens up a wider sonic palette, letting experimentation and atmosphere take the lead.
This new EP doesn’t come out swinging with the same punch-to-the-throat intensity as the debut. Instead, it smolders, simmers, và builds, taking you through a collection of tracks that are darker, more textural, and just as restless.
A Shift in Vibes
While “Highly-enriched Vibes” sounded like it was born in a basement lit by one flickering bulb and a dying amp, Worldwide Vibes feels like it was written in the aftermath—a colder, foggier headspace. The punk spirit is still alive and twitching, but this time it’s wrapped in layers of darkwave, post-punk, and a good dose of weirdness.
This EP leans heavier on bass-driven structures, reverb-heavy guitars, and vocals that sometimes feel more hypnotic than angry. It’s still intense, just in a different way. Thetans haven’t mellowed out so much as they’ve decided to channel their energy into more controlled bursts. The chaos is still there, but it’s been dressed up in new textures.
Track-by-Track Glimpse
The opener “Neverland Forever” does a great job of setting the tone. The bassline leads, heavy and persistent, while the vocals slide in with a gloomy, distant quality. It’s one of those tracks that doesn’t hit you all at once. Instead, it pulls you in slowly, layering tension until it finally erupts, with guitar and vocals both screaming in their own register. It’s atmospheric, but still physical, with just the right balance between moody restraint and noise.
“Equus” follows and might be the most darkwave-leaning track of the four. It starts subtle and glitched-out, with guitars that feel like they’re stuttering in and out of the mix. There’s a quiet dread hanging in the background, but it doesn’t stay quiet for long. About halfway through, it turns into a wall of sound—mid-screams, distorted guitars, and a part that might be a chorus, but feels more like a breakdown wrapped in a mantra.
Then comes “Live, Laugh, Loathe”, which is pure punk muscle. Clocking in at barely over a minute, it’s loud, abrasive, and straight to the point. This is the most aggressive, high-tempo moment on the release—and a reminder that, yes, Thetans can still rip when they feel like it. It doesn’t overstay its welcome, and honestly, it might hit even harder because of that.
The closer, “Thirtin Rats”, is probably the most “Thetans-sounding” track here. Meaning it’s wild, noisy, and full of strange but effective melodies. It’s heavy without being metal, raw without being sloppy, and has that odd balance between chaotic energy and actual songwriting that this band does well. A strong ending that ties the EP together with a bit of everything they’ve shown so far.
A Bit Quieter, But Still Thetans
There’s no doubt “Worldwide Vibes” is a slight shift in sound from the band’s debut. It’s more exploratory, more subdued in moments, and seems less interested in making a scene and more interested in crafting a sound. Some listeners who fell in love with the raw immediacy of “Highly-enriched Vibes” (myself included) might feel like this release lacks the same punch. And yeah, if you preferred that more blown-out, frantic energy, this one might feel like a step to the side rather than forward.
That said, it’s worth acknowledging that this isn’t a regression—it’s just a different direction. The band is clearly trying things out, letting ideas stretch a bit further, and trusting the listener to go along with them. That alone is worth some respect.
There were moments that reminded me of early Iceage, a touch of Suicide, and even some coldwave-era Killing Joke here and there. Not direct copies, but references in tone and feel. It lets the dynamics breathe while keeping that rough-around-the-edges charm. Everything sounds like it’s meant to be played live, which is probably where these songs will hit their full potential. It’s easy to picture heads nodding and feet moving to this stuff in a dim, sweaty room.
In some ways, “Worldwide Vibes” feels like it could be B-sides or an alternate path from the first EP. It’s more of a vibe record than a punch-to-the-face EP. But there’s definitely value in that shift. Bands that stay in the same lane get stale. Thetans, on the other hand, seem dead set on making sure every release has its own voice.
If you’re into fuzzy guitars, direct bass lines, và hypnotizing vocals that aren’t afraid to venture outside punk tradition, Thetans should already be on your radar. And if they’re keeping up the pace of a release a year, here’s hoping the next one comes as an LP.
Rating: 7/10
