In the hazy midst of Crime Gardens, Sunwise beckons one into a world where gritty vocals meet thunderous drums and tightly woven guitars. Hailing from the American Midwest, Sunwise weaves a tapestry of sound that draws upon the battle-tested frameworks of Champaign’s big guitars, Kansas City’s dissonance, and Chicago’s raw aggression.
From the very first chord, it’s evident that Sunwise isn’t just paying homage to the past; they’re carving out their own path through the murky undergrowth of the music scene. With a nod to the 90s grunge era, Crime Gardens delivers a sonic punch that feels both familiar and refreshingly original.
Across nine tracks, Sunwise leads one on a journey through a landscape of sound that alternates between unashamedly rock and haunting, ethereal textures. It’s an album that doesn’t just demand to be heard; it demands to be felt.
Jan Blucas, the band’s guitarist and vocalist, sheds light on the thematic core of Crime Gardens,
“Finding the will to affect change or find the way to escape a stifling, traumatic environment, to try and find a way to grow and thrive somewhere unexpected, is the central theme behind Crime Gardens”.
These themes permeate every aspect of the album, from the raspy vocals that echo with longing to the rumbling bass lines that pulse with urgency.
Tracks like “Frenetic” and “Frenetic (A Dream)” showcase Sunwise’s ability to blend aggression with vulnerability, creating a musical experience that resonates on an emotional level. Each song feels like a journey in itself, with twists and turns that keeps one on the edge of their seats.
Drawing inspiration from behemoths like HUM, Shiner, and Failure, Sunwise proves that they’re more than just another band riding the nostalgia wave. They’re a force to be reckoned with, carving out their own place in the annals of rock history.
MUST LISTEN TRACKS: “Frenetic”, “Bonus Wolf”, “Fell Down a Ravine”, “Frenetic (A Dream)”, “Lacewings”
