With the album “Bản Ballad Của Tèo,” the protagonist makes a left turn, shifting gears from the moody, ego-driven ending of “The One Who Hold The Fire.” With ten songs, just like the previous album, “Bản Ballad Của Tèo” feels like a circuit mirror reflecting an alternate version of a proposition.
An Outburst Beginning
Opening with “Mặc Cho Những Vết Thương Còn Ở Lại,” the album immediately sets the tone, contrasting the previous work with a classic alternative vibe. The punchy drums and strong guitar riffs gradually ascend towards the end of the track. It’s fast-paced, explosive from start to finish, ready to take on whatever lies ahead, a kind of reckless positivity.
As XOI once shared, “Lò Gạch” is one of their earliest songs and also one of their rare love songs. Referencing Nam Cao’s lyric “Ước gì ngày nào cũng như thế”, the two characters simply wish to live in their own little world, away from a troublesome society. The slowly rising melody, combined with thumping drums and angelic vocals, wraps around the listener like a warm embrace.
Tèo’s Confession
With “Không Còn Xa Nữa,” we get a glimpse of another side of the protagonist’s life, the burden of personal responsibility towards his family. The technically skillful alternative guitar riffs set a hopeful yet bittersweet tone, grabbing onto the possibility of better days.
Continuing with “Chẳng Mấy Chốc Nữa Thôi,” the backing guitars blend seamlessly with Cường’s vocals, topped off by an euphoric guitar solo, lifting the mood to a whole new height.
But “Bản Ballad Của Tèo” then breaks that momentum, dragging us back into harsh reality with moody acoustics and sharp, piercing strings. Cường’s shaky, exhausted vocals deliver a haunting beauty, creating a completely different atmosphere compared to the rest of the album, even though it’s the title track.
“Ngày Về” follows, with piano gently building up before slamming drums and crunchy guitars crash in. The airy vocals sound like a mother delivering one of her final lessons to her child. Right after that comes “Mất,” with its lonely guitar and humming a short, sorrowful reply, as if saying goodbye to his past. Even though this is the Vietnamese version of the last song from the previous album, it shows that the story isn’t over yet.
The Indomitable Response
With “Lấy Hết Đi,” originally from their early EP “Chổm,” the song once had goth and industrial rock influences, sounding defeated. But in this album version, it’s been re-produced into something shoegazy and ethereal, transforming into a feeling of hope despite having lost everything. It bursts from start to finish, especially with the short but firm backing vocals and a guitar solo acting like Tèo’s defiant challenge to life itself. This is, without question, the standout track of the album.
Thoughtful Goodbye
The vocals blend into the sound of ocean waves, peaceful yet aggressive at the same time. With its hypnotic, dream-pop sound, “Vỡ” brings us to the final act, reaching beyond just Tèo’s personal story. The acoustic intro feels comforting, while the soft yet desperate vocals urge us to sing along. Unlike “The One Who Hold The Fire,” this album doesn’t fade out quietly but ends with a bang—out of breath, giving us everything they’ve got.
Even though “Bản Ballad Của Tèo” is short with only ten tracks, there’s not a single filler. Everything is tightly connected with a three-act structure. There’s aggression in every track—whether it’s a ballad or a thumping rock song—taking us on an emotional rollercoaster through Tèo’s never-ending journey of life. It might not be a commercial success, but for those who appreciate XOI’s dedication to loud, straightforward messages, this album will resonate deeply.
Rating: 7.5/10
Words: Văn Minh Phát Huy
