Near the beginning of 2024, US post punk band Sun Atoms broke a near three year silence when they released the single ‘Ceiling Tiles’. That track provided the perfect reminder of their great sound with its angular riffs, pulsing rhythms and light gothic tones. In a little over five minutes, the music transported the listener back to the early 90s with its alternative feel, but Sun Atoms’ music still played very well in the present.
This two pronged follow up gives potential fans just as much to enjoy. ‘Take This Love’ immediately catches the ear when heavy drums collide with semi-atonal bleeps of synth, set on a huge loop with the aid of sequencers. In seconds, the band takes the listener back to a world of 80s goth, but dresses a familiar sound with a more challenging array of riffs. As the drums and keys pummel an incessant rhythm, the vocal sets about adding something strangely dramatic. Fairly quickly, a semi-spoken, rather dour tone offers a much bigger atmospheric pull, and a repeated refrain centring around the title creates an incessant hook. In some ways, this would be enough to make a retro goth tune hold up, but Peter Holmstrom and his assembled band aren’t about to leave things there. A brighter harmony vocal supplied by Alison Green brings more of a feeling of positivity without adding too much that’s obviously more commercial, whilst occasional bursts of guitar add something more a little more human. It’s cold and sometimes affronting, but in terms of style, this is a genuine post punk/goth/alternative treat.
For those hoping to go a little deeper into a world of heady grooves augmented by hard bass and retro synths, the seven minute epic ‘And The Lion Saw The UFO’ should more than appeal. From the outset, the band locks into a steady rhythm that falls somewhere between classic Madchester bagginess and the blissed out space rock vibes of Spacemen 3, and this proves to be a perfect backdrop for a hushed vocal. It isn’t long at all before drummer Eric Rubulcava begins to dominate – and indeed, his unwavering rhythms are impressive. The playing is somewhat reminiscent of The Stone Roses’ ‘Fools Gold’ as he works a steady rhythm against a deep bass groove, but the most impressive moments during this lengthy piece come courtesy of unexpected vocal harmonies which add to the otherworldly feel, and echoing brass which adds strong Hawkwind vibes to an already enjoyable melting pot of sound. Despite being an amalgam of familiar influences, this is one of Sun Atoms’ greatest tunes to date: a spaced out jam that allows the whole band enough time to shine.
Despite this presenting just two new tracks, this release really doesn’t sell the listener short. ‘Take This Love’ further demonstrates the Sun Atoms’ gift for a pointed melody and hook, whilst ‘…UFO’ shows how brilliantly they can lose themselves in an indie-based, neo-psych haze, working a lengthy arrangement without anything feeling in any way laboured.‘Ceiling Tiles’ reintroduced the band with a fairly direct sound, but these tunes show off a much broader musical spectrum, showcasing Sun Atoms with a much bigger confidence. Simply put, if you have any interest in classic sounding but retro alternative sounds, this digital pairing is a must hear.
August 2024