Sunglasz Vendor’s anarchic debut album is an impressive first outing which establishes the Bristol band as an up-and-coming voice in a city with a blossoming DIY scene. Oscillating unpredictably between post-punk, grunge, and lo-fi indie, the breadth of references in Unwinding reflects a band unafraid to nod to their influences yet with the confidence to strike it out and construct their own clear identity.
Where this album starts, it also peaks. This is not a critique. Rather, a testament to the quality of the first three tracks: ‘Unwinding’, ‘Prevent the Scum’, and ‘Brick King’.
Unwinding:
The title track starts proceedings with a cautious, even anxious, extended introduction, which builds slowly with a tentative bassline and a screeching plucked violin. As if saying “easy-goes-it, let’s not mess this up’ Unwinding begins the album with a distinct awareness of its own significance.
With the longest run time, this track welcomes us into the album’s world, with lyrics about the pleasures of comfort spoken lethargically by the lead vocalist Rafi Cohen. The song proceeds with this metonymic delivery before erupting with punk rock glee with the most relatable of admissions – ‘Just get home and unwind, So divine, To be brain dead sludge in the comfort of your own home’.
You rarely get a second chance at a first impression. Luckily, Sunglasz Vendor knocks this one out of the park.
Prevent the Scum:
The second of the opening trio, ‘Prevent the Scum’, builds in confidence with an angsty punk-forward tune that could easily be found on an early Pixies record, with a vocal performance that is reminiscent of Black Francis on ‘Hey’ or a West Country Aidan Moffat of Arab Strap.
‘Scum’ was the album’s final single, and I predict will be their biggest song from this record. I recall seeing the band during their Winter 2024 tour alongside Kiran Leonard and it was this track by far that stuck with me until its release this April. If you only listen to one song from Unwinding, let it be this. However, I hope, and doubt, you’ll end it at that.
Brick King:
‘Brick King’ is, if nothing else, a clear demonstration of the group’s remarkable musical dexterity considering their relative infancy. Delving into full-on grunge with a dulled bass intro that sounds like something off of the first Nirvana album as it explodes into a wall of heavily layered and reverbed guitars.
On the whole, this track probably contains the best vocals, with both the lead and female harmonies contributing to a densely textured sound for which Sunglasz Vendor have already received considerable plaudits. It is also an example of some great lyrics, probably the most complex on the record and balanced with a genuine sense of whimsy. One line stood out to me in particular – Cohen softly mutters ‘I was the only froglet looking to be soft candle kissed’. (It has a certain alliterative quality which I like, even without the necessary vowels).
What follows is of admirable quality, even if it doesn’t manage to reach the heights of the first three tracks. Particular highlights include the instrumental interlude ‘(unwinded)’ which, upon first listening, may appear as the outro to the confessional single ‘Sophisticated Thief’ which comes before it, but can, and should, indeed stand alone. Displaying the best instrumentation on the album, this song features complex Kiran Leonard-Esque guitar riffs complimented by epileptic drums. ‘Ice Cream Tubs’ is another notable banger with the catchiest chorus on the record and a strong vocal performance, which will likely be a favourite when performed on tour this month.
Unwinding is an impressive first outing for a band on the up and whose output already warrants greater attention than they’re receiving. With this debut however, they are beginning to make inroads into the UK indie scene, and will no doubt make that much deserved break through if they continue as they have begun – with a writhing record of angst-filled indie-rock that nods towards its forbears whilst striking a path of its own.
Sunglasz Vendor: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Tour dates:
26th May – Daltons, Brighton UK
30th May – Fuel Café & Bar, Manchester UK
31st May – The Brit Bar, Weston-Super-Mare UK
Review by Evan Meikle – Instagram | Muckrack
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