6/30/13 Never Shout Never – “Sunflower” Album Review
With a strong history of reinventing their sound and style with each release, Never Shout Never’s new record Sunflower definitely lives up to that reputation. They consistently intrigue listeners and leave them continually speculating what’s next. Sunflower debuts a fresh new blend of sounds and gives off an overall laid back vibe. Leading off with “New Sound” the band portrays exactly that. With opening lyrics “old school’s coming back around,” they certainly express this throughout the record. As they revive a sound which is comparable to the great artists of the late 60’s with a contemporary edge, they prove their creative talent even further. Featuring positive and upbeat tunes such as “Malibu,” “Good Times,” and “Subliminal Messages,” as well as slower and more mellow songs such as “I Need You,” “Sunflower,” and “Knock, Knock,” plus our personal favorites, “Wild Child,” “Falling Up,” and “Old Timer,” this record definitely integrates a multitude of styles. Sunflower encompasses the flawless engineering, and gentle balance of melody and instrumentals.
When “Subliminal Messages” surfaced online a while back, it had everyone excited for what the band had in store. Vocalist Christofer Drew released an acoustic version of the song and the excitement only grew stronger. The song presents a cheerful and stress free attitude towards life, as does the majority of the record. “I Need You” slows the album down a bit with an smooth sound, generating the ideal slow dance atmosphere. “Aeroplane” begins with a hopeful and optimistic tune which is seemingly different from the other tracks, with a very classic twist. The final song, “Time Traveler Blues,” showcases Drew’s strong vocal ability, as well as presents an outstanding combination of all of the sounds on the record, and is an incredible culmination. Never Shout Never have made their mark once again. With an ongoing sense of positivity, Sunflower is a wonderful record to ease into summer and leave the past behind.
Pre-Order “Sunflower” out July 2nd, now!
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