Review by Alex Griffin

The Sun Orchestra bleed ambition; everything from their band name, to their bold, confident songwriting and the cover art of this, their first EP, suggests they have their eyes set on conquering your radio, if not Mars. Focusing on a rock sound that incorporates country and folk inflections, this EP is a consistent display of their talents.

The sound is lush and dramatic, courtesy of producers Andy Lawson and Joel Quatermain (from Eskimo Joe), who apply a glossy sheen to each track. Slide guitar and deep, spacious harmonies abound, giving the songs a cohesive and luxurious feel that bolsters their emotional resonance.

Opener “Shoot You Down” is a good introduction that demonstrates some slight experimentation with the country/folk format, preambling the widescreen melody with a heartbeat-like rhythm. “Record Player” is a country-pop song that bears a strong resemblance to Harvest-era Neil Young, but has a melody strong enough to avoid mere pastiche, even if the song drags its heels towards the end. “Sinking Ship” maybe gets carried overboard lyrically, but is a fine piece of stomping guitar rock that carries a darker edge, standing in contrast to the other, more winsome tracks here.

The slight scowl in Lee Jones’ vocals is peculiarly reminiscent of Sean Kelly from Australian 80s synth pop Models, but Jones is less one dimensional, capable of much more versatility and emotion in his singing. The musicianship is deft and understated throughout, reflecting the experience of the band; Jones and drummer Shaun Sibbes were the central members of Perth popsters Spencer Tracy, and Sibbes has played with Eskimo Joe and Sneaky Sound System.

The Sun Orchestra EP is a strong local release that delivers on the talents of those involved and is worth seeking out for those who enjoy the likes of Wilco and Elliott Smith.