Distant Lights, by The Suncharms

Distant Lights

by The Suncharms

supported by

more...

	/

Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Includes unlimited streaming of Distant Lights via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 5 days

$22 USD or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
The first 50 copies will include a free 4x4 photo

Cosmonaut (bonus track available on CD only)
Monster Club (bonus track available on CD only)

Includes unlimited streaming of Distant Lights via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 5 days

$12 USD or more
Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$8 USD or more

	1.	Distant Lights 03:38
	2.	Dream of a Time Machine 03:42
	3.	Three Billion Heartbeats 03:19
	4.	Liquid Through My Hands 04:02
	5.	Cast a Spell 04:06
	6.	Precious Hour 04:02
	7.	Seas of Titan 04:36
	8.	Jewels 03:10
	9.	Casting Shadows 03:29
	10.	Lucifer 03:38

about

By Simon Heavisides -

I guess I should declare an interest: once upon a time I played a gig with the Suncharms. Yes, o.k. it was thirty odd years ago but I believe in transparency.

Anyway somehow three decades have elapsed and against all the odds here we have a debut Suncharms album, once again proving that life is indeed a strange and wonderful thing.

If you’ve ever been in a band when you were relatively young you may recall the intensity, verging on obsession, that can be involved. The ending of such a band can be quite traumatic in particular when there is a sense of unfulfilled potential, Distant Lights is an attempt to bring that potential to fruition.

At this point the question forming in your mind, will be, ‘but is it any good??’

Well it’s a pleasure to give you a very simple answer: oh yes.

It’s a risky business trying to rekindle something that ended an eon ago. Just ask all those artists who have tried and failed, to varying degrees of ignominy. I mean I’m guessing few people are still listening to that Velvet Underground live album…

But if you get it right it can be really special, in fact there’s a case to be made that coming back later in life is a positive advantage. Imagine, chances are you may (hopefully) be more mature, communicate just a little bit better and, very importantly, there is really one main reason for doing this in the modern age: for the love of it. No one’s trying for a major label deal or a ‘hit record’ are they?

It really is all about the music, which is why we’re here.

Now what should a reinvented indie band do when they make their return, follow the zeitgeist, maybe dabble in r’n’b or a little drill? Probably only at their own risk, Suncharms wisely don’t and instead deliver a souped-up take on a classic indie album with a sprinkle of shoegaze around the edges and just enough of their own idiosyncratic touches.

The sound is a little toughened-up when compared with the far flung past and a welcome layer of gentle, yearning melancholy has settled over the songs.

The languid Casting Shadows is full of autumnal beauty and sounds like one of those vital singles released during the immediate post C86 period, I’m thinking Jasmine Minks’ Cold Heart maybe. The ringing guitar solo brings back that feeling of joy you would feel uncovering another proudly independent gem of a record. Halcyon days indeed.

full review coming soon...

credits

released August 20, 2021

license

about

Sunday Records Chicago, Illinois

An IndiePop Label founded in 1990, Chicago, IL

contact / help

Contact Sunday Records

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Distant Lights, you may also like:

Uncommon Weather
by The Reds, Pinks & Purples

supported by 36 fans who also own “Distant Lights”

Very difficult to choose a favourite track! An amazing band, amazing sound Overskadovers
go to album
Chime School
by Chime School

supported by 34 fans who also own “Distant Lights”

Think Murmur, think The Good Earth. Guitars jangle and sparkle. Timeless, feelgood pop, what the world needs now. Thomas Mellaerts
go to album
UNDER THE BRIDGE
by VARIOUS ARTISTS

supported by 31 fans who also own “Distant Lights”

The greatest to ever do it, do it again! Sometimes lush as a warm blanket, sometimes all the angles of a dance party, always suspended in and out of time _hopskipjump
go to album
Can't Be Depressed
by Shiny Times

A new album of perfect low-key gems from Kim Weldin of Tape Waves' unassuming bedroom pop side project Shiny Times. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 15, 2019
go to album
Now You Know It Still Feels The Same
by Pia Fraus

This compilation of early tracks celebrates the 20th anniversary of Estonian dream pop band Pia Fraus's debut LP. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 2, 2021
go to album
Distant Light
by Tape Waves

This South Carolina duo have a soft touch, swaddling gentle melodies in gauzy ambience and pitch perfect dream pop atmospherics. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 8, 2018
go to album
Jetstream Pony
by Jetstream Pony

supported by 28 fans who also own “Distant Lights”

This is absolutely beautiful! I am so happy the Under the Bridge releases led me down this road. It's unexpectedly spacious and just makes me happy! It's very hard to pick a favorite and I will not be skipping tracks as I play through this repeatedly. zq9mare1
go to album