Sunflower Bean are reborn on Mortal Primetime

The trio have garnered tour support slots with the likes of Wolf Alice and The Strokes that has aided in them carving out their distinctive corner of the musical landscape. Spearheading a sound that sits on the philtrum of gritty grunge and infectious indie beats, their latest venture into introspective waters comes in the neatly wrapped package of their fourth studio record Mortal Primetime.

Thus far, Sunflower Bean’s discography has been comprised of three albums, interweaved with a handful of extended plays. Their debut, Human Ceremony (2016) introduced us to delectable indie numbers veined with overt fragility, whereas 2018’s sophomore effort Twentytwo in Blue marked their place with reflections on adulthood in a more mature rock sound.

Leaving a marginally longer gap, 2022 welcomed the arrival of the politically charged, resilient Headful of Sugar, which made way for the heavier sounds of Sunflower Bean that we’ve grown accustomed to. Seeing a growth in maturity, and the recovery from frailty to hardiness throughout their journey as a band thus far, this progression blooms in the confidence and reinvigoration of Mortal Primetime.

Instead of shying away from pain, here, they embrace it, carrying each other’s through sturdy alt-rock intonations, all the while reflecting on why they sabotage their own happiness (“Nothing Romantic)”, and question of self-worth (“Shooting Star”). Despite hardship, they rise above, championing resilience and exuding conviction, and celebrate the, often tumultuous, peregrination they’ve endured.

Drilling instrumentation opens the record, in a cathartic release of prior distresses. This is seen the most in the affection-steered “Champagne taste”, and punk-tilting soundscapes of “Sunshine”. The former is made part of a larger theme veined throughout, of admiration (“Hey babe I like your lips / Even more I like your clothes”), that rears its head in the surprisingly folksy intonations of “I Knew Love”.

Despite its heady opener, the majority of Mortal Primetime finds its roots in softer, more sultry tones. The psychedelia-tinged “Waiting For The Rain” oozes nostalgia for childhoods, and “Take Out Your Insides” champions layered vocals that make for an all-consuming woozy distortion. Similarly, “Please Rewind” stands out with its cherubic chorus of harmonies that shine through darker times to offer an almost pious renascence for Sunflower Bean.

Mortal Primetime sees the rebirth of the New York trio; emerging from the shadows of winter to tilt their heads towards the brighter, more fruitful pastures of spring.