Since the break-up of Wax On Radio guitarist/vocalist Mikey Russell hatched a plan to reinvent himself in the shape of another band and this band is SUNS. The Chicago-based band’s debut EP is a highly ambitious and bold record. Split into two separate EPs, ‘Close Calls In The U.S. Space Program’ and ‘The Howl And The Many’, Suns set out to bring ambient, indie rock back to the fore. To describe Suns‘ sound would be like if you were to imagine Brand New crossed with American Steel-esque vocals that bumped into Brandon Flowers along the way.
‘Close Calls…’ opens with the upbeat ‘Little Horn’ and ‘You Are On’ but then descends into a very Brand New reminiscent style. ‘Bright Lights‘ pounds through with the haunting screams of Russell ringing out over the distortion of wailing guitars. ‘Close Calls…’ does sound very ‘Devil and God…’ as closing track ‘Don’t Do It’ is beautifully crafted and touching in the same way Jesse Lacey did four years prior.
‘The Howl And The Many’ is almost the cheese to ‘Close Calls…’ chalk once again opening with a very upbeat ‘Everything Changes’ and even throws in some token woos in ‘Orange Peels’. However, the highlight of ‘The Howl…’ is closing track ‘Four Winds’ which is so tender it would leave any audience hanging on every breath.
This is a very confident debut effort and whets the appetite for what Suns have to offer us.
TOM WALSH