Brooklyn-based jam quartet PEAK ascends to new creative heights on its latest studio effort, Vanishing Skies. Featuring ten original tracks with thought-provoking lyrics and sophisticated arrangements ranging in style from psychedelic funk and disco to Southern rock and groove, Vanishing Skies is the group’s third full-length release, building upon the success of 2021’s Choppy Water.
Although each track has a distinct feel, underscoring PEAK’s impressive versatility and breadth of influences, the collection is remarkably cohesive when experienced as a whole. Drummer Kito Bovenschulte (Particle) and bassist Josh T. Carter (Hayley Jane and The Primates) meld smoothly with primary songwriters/vocalists Jeremy Hilliard (guitar, Turbine) and Johnny Young (keys, Mick Taylor Band) throughout the album, uniting to form a collective much greater than the sum of its parts.
The album kicks off with “Little Miss Mary Merry Go Round”, a playful, dancefloor-ready disco-funk groove that sets the tone with bouncy rhythms and infectious energy. The mood quickly shifts on “Run Me Down”, a more introspective, acoustically-oriented track featuring piano flourishes and a singalong chorus that evokes shades of ‘90s alt-rock.
PEAK flexes its experimental muscles on “In My Mind I’m Already Gone”, layering a futuristic, synth-fueled funk groove over hypnotic rhythms. The title track, “Vanishing Skies”, is equally funky but more laid-back, with a tight, organ-driven rhythm section propelled by a deep-pocket bassline.
The synth-heavy disco aesthetic resurfaces on “Only Rain”, a buoyant track with an uplifting message: “Ooh, it’s only rain / Not tears I’m crying / Ooh, it’s only rain / That the sun will be drying.” The band then shifts gears again with “Summer”, a psychedelic odyssey that blends haunting minor-key harmonies with an anthemic unison riff. A seamless transition from organ to a Santana-esque guitar solo fuels the track’s instrumental climax ahead of a powerful outro.
“Waiting For The Waves To Reach The Shore” is characterized by a smooth, modern yacht rock vibe, complete with ocean wave samples and jazzy piano comping. “Missionary Ridge”, the sole song on the album featuring all four members as credited songwriters, follows with a dreamy yet danceable groove, riding a solid backbeat despite its complex meter.
PEAK’s Southern rock influences come to the forefront on “Don’t Think Unkindly Of Me”, which channels the energy of the Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, and the like as it builds toward a soaring organ solo. A gentle piano breakdown leads to a triumphant final chorus, bringing the track full circle with a well-crafted conclusion.
The final track, “One Lifetime Isn’t Enough”, ties up the loose ends with an uptempo, guitar-driven funk groove that recalls Phish’s “Llama”, but with a more poignant lyrical focus. Rather than diving into absurdist humor, the song offers a thoughtful meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the boundless experiences it holds.
With Vanishing Skies, PEAK delivers a polished, multidimensional record that captures the adventurous spirit of the jam scene while staying grounded in sharp songwriting and tight musicianship. Whether weaving through intricate funk rhythms or letting loose on soaring rock anthems, the band proves once again that it’s not just about reaching new heights—it’s about exploring every sonic peak along the way.
Listen to Vanishing Skies via the YouTube playlist below or on Spotify. PEAK will return to the stage this weekend for shows at Arch Street Tavern in Hartford, CT and Funk ‘N Waffles in Syracuse, NY on Thursday, February 6th and Saturday, February 8th, respectively. Find more information and purchase tickets here.
PEAK – Vanishing Skies