Sun Song by Monotronic taps into a sense of escapism in a way that feels lighthearted and emotionally connected at the same time. Many people can relate to the feeling of life speeding up. Hence, this fantasy of escape from responsibilities and doubt into freedom feels more relevant than ever.
The vocal performance was the first thing that stood out to me. While often the delivery of these nostalgic breezy tracks utilises a higher register vocal to match the optimistic energy, Sun Song uses a deep vocal range that contrasts the guitars and provides the track with a sense of depth and diversity that is lacking in some of its contemporaries within the genre of sunbleached indie pop rock. Although the deeper register would not suit all artists, the vocalist exudes comfort and ease. This helps the track feel authentic and allows the emotions at its core to cut through.
The guitars accompanying the vocals convey this light sonic fuzz around every note that bleeds the melody together. Each note feels like a part of the previous and the next, creating a sense of connection within its melody and through the track as a whole. This blurring of notes intertwines with the hiss of the rhythm section, making the piece feel far more united overall.
As the track evolves, this fuzz dissipates, and the guitar becomes clear and crisp. This sonic growth caught me off guard and re-energised the track, providing the composition with this beautiful ebb and flow. The vocal delivery also evolves in this section, displaying great tonal range. Their register moves higher, and their vocals are more energised. This change does not feel jarring or out of place but instead feels like the fantasy of escape becoming a reality. As that happens, the passion in the delivery moves to the forefront. I love it when there is a connection between the sonic delivery and the narrative themes the track explores. It was impressive to see that achieved so well in Sun Song.
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