When approaching pieces of music which features ‘crazy’ names or plenty of ‘!’ I’m always a little apprehensive. It can either mean they are doing something which musically hasn’t been attempted in a while, they’re intriguingly original, or simply, they’re different and ker-azy for the sake of it. Rather surprisingly, Sunshine don’t come under any of those banners, but have made an EP which is different, yet has that horrible feeling of being oh so slightly… pretentious.
Hailing from the Czech Republic, Sunshine has been knocking about for nigh on ten years now and their music could be aptly described as post-electro-punk. If you catch my vague drift. All manner of synthesisers and programming is thrown in the mixer to degreeing levels of success, but thankfully it all gets off to a good start with opener ‘Vampire Dancehall’. The obvious talents of lead vocalist Kay in front of a microphone are the first thing that strikes you as the silky, snappy vocals are aptly suited to the frantic pace of the opening keys. Unfortunately it is only a brief flirtation with a successful formula as the dull ‘victimisanothernamforlover’ and the remixed ‘Lower than Low’ do little to re-ignite any semblance of interest.
It is left to another remix (By Casey Chaos of Amen fame) to attempt to steer it all in the correct direction and the genuinely uplifting and anthemic ‘What you’ve Got’ which does just that before the heavily synthesised and distinctly average ‘Thru Magnetic Fields’ tips the balance of average songs over the edge. For those that enjoy ‘this type of thing’ Sunshine will be right up your street. The electronic elements are implemented well and generally the songs fit together seamlessly, but 21 minutes after first popping it in your player there is little else to bring you back for more.
Jay
www.sunshinetrash.com
Custard Records