Review: Children Of The Sün ‘Roots’

I’ve got nuthin’ ‘gainst retro, I’m a big fan to be honest. The same goes with embracing what you love and carrying it with you at all times. And I’d reckon Children Of The Sün would adhere to this philosophy too. These dudes coulda been sitting dead centre in the Summer Of Love, living on a commune and slipping in to Haight-Ashbury every once in a while to peddle their bootleg EL ES DEE.

So, Children Of The Sün have backed up their debut, Flowers, with the new long-player, Roots and it ain’t too shabby. The show starts off with the bombastic Reflections, and vocalist Josefina Berglund Ekholm cuts right to the chase with some ripping vocals replete with a tonne of melody, as well as some hot and tasty Joplin-esque raspiness. Gaslighting is a showcase of Children Of The Sün’s writing prowess, and tempered dynamic, and wraps up with a smokin’ solo that is enhanced by its’ economic value (c’mon, does ANYONE other than a guitarist truly appreciate a long solo??)

Slowing the mood down, we get Eden, a piano driven ballad that’s followed up with Willow Tree, a forty-five second stroll through a lysergic sundown. The title track Roots sees Josafina hit it hard with her best open-throated howl while Man In the Moon is not so much a song as it is a mood but I really kinda loved it.

Children Of The Sün have truly taken retro to heart, and it’s a sight to behold…

Heading into the final stages, we get The Soul, which is funky and danceable, as for Thunder, they pull on the Columbian marching boots with this rockin’ lil tune. When you’re searching for the right late-night tune, look no further than Reaching For The Sun, an introspective and plaintive number that’ll smooth you right out.

Sonically, I wouldn’t call this album authentic, but the attitude and styles of the numbers certainly is. Fat, warm and a well-balanced sound get the message across. The guitar playing of Jacob Hellenrud swings between hauntingly ethereal and blazing with a liquid smokiness and some of the hot notes get held for just the right amount of time. Throw the occasional twang that is reminiscent of J Fogerty, and ya get the whole gamut of sounds.

Wilma Ås keys, who also joins Ottilia Berglund Ekholm‘s with choir backing vocals, slip into the spaces where needed to fill out the songs as Johan Lööf’s drums and the bass from Ida Wahl are left to do their thing and hold it down. So, all in all, it’s a winner, particularly if you wanna slip back in time and live a past life. The polished voice of Josefina just prove how essential good vocals are. Children Of The Sün have truly taken retro to heart, and it’s a sight to behold.

Label: The Sign Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Scribed by: El Jefe