Sundials has provided a nice six song EP that seems to correlate perfectly with overcast weather... or maybe that's just because the weather has been cloudy whenever I listen to it. Perhaps it's coincidence, but I believe the pairing comes out perfect. The songs provided don't really invoke any amount of energetic sunshiny endeavors, instead the focus is on the general ennui of existing in a smaller town, trying to overcome the sinking feeling that things won't get better.
Sundials has always been a band that sounds like it lacks ambition, but I say that in the best way possible. The general mid-tempo vibe they express seems to perfectly cater to their abilities rather than force a sound that would otherwise feel unnatural. One can draw comparisons to band like The Lemonheads or a softer version of Joyce Manor. The music isn't particularly technical and instead focuses more on making the instruments fit the lyrics and vocal hooks in the songs. Tracks such as 'Stun Pore' and 'Kick' illustrate this simplicity by relying heavily on a basic bass line in order to punctuate the lines delivered by singer Harris Mendell.
Although the record starts with a quickened pace with 'Dealin', it then follows this with a slower, but more determined tempo. The songs focus on trying to find motivation and identity in a mid-sized town (Richmond, VA) that too many of us in our 20's can find relatable. There isn't a lot of positivity to be found on the record, instead leaving questions of how to find purpose in life among the mundane. If you find yourself currently at crossroads in your life this little EP might just be the perfect thing to make you feel a little comfort in at least it's solidarity.
SONGS TO CHECK OUT: DEALIN' / KICK / STUN SPORE
RATING: 6/10
