Echoing the hallmarks of shoegaze greats immortalised on bedroom walls from the 90s to today.
Words: Karl Johnson | Photo: Akira Trees
London’s Sunnbrella are back with a new single, it’s entitled Pauline and acts as a homage to French film-maker Eric Rhomer’s 1983 coming-of-age film Pauline At The Beach, a film which follows two young cousins on vacation in picturesque coastal Normandy. The euphoric new cut, which offers a punchier and more refined sound, makes up part of Sunnbrella‘s sophomore EP, set to be released this September.
Pauline holds dear the underlying melancholy that London artist and producer David Zbirka aka Sunnbrella has become known for, soaring through verse and chorus with subtly powerful dynamic builds, echoing the hallmarks of shoegaze greats immortalised on bedroom walls from the 90s to today. Addictive overflowing melodies – complemented by vocalist Claire Peng – kiss the chorus and throw it into a washed-out ecstasy. Guitars spin in and out of focus as a flowing bass groove and drums provide a punchy backbone to the sound, juxtaposed by woozy electronic textures that deliver an out-of-body experience.
“When I got home from the studio that night, I decided to watch ‘Pauline At The Beach’ on a whim,” mentions Zbrika,” and when I finished it, I sat down and wrote the new lyrics based on the characters in the film. It felt good not to write from personal experience for a change. The film is about the collision of childhood innocence with adult lies and about how age doesn’t guarantee wisdom.”
Pauline arrives ahead of Sunnbrella‘s self-titled EP on September 1st, and sits alongside recent singles It’s Cool and Lost & Found. The band will headline Paper Dress Vintage, London on September 2nd in celebration.
hardofhearingmagazine.com 