Sunset Sons made a huge impact with their 2016 debut album ‘Very Rarely Say Die’. Tipped in the BBC’s Sound Poll, the British/Australian band progressed to score airplay from Radio 1, Radio X and Absolute Radio. Meanwhile, live shows included a sold-out headline date at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire as well as huge tours as guests to Imagine Dragons and Nothing But Thieves. Now, Sunset Sons are poised to return in style with the release of their second album ‘Blood Rush Déjà Vu’. It’s a record which captures the magnetic energy of the band’s raucous live shows while evolving their sound. It’s a streamlined modern rock record which amplifies their power, full of strident anthems which are built to resonate as they echo out at festivals the world over. “Our new single Superman is just a monster”,says drummer Jed Laidlaw. “It took a long time to get it right, from demo-ing it to finally nailing it with CJ and the boys in that room. I love the sentiment – it’s a beautiful song but it’s also a warning. And it’s the perfect album opener with a proper intro.” The story of the album’s creation started with the end of the band’s own first chapter. Guitarist Robin Windram left to spend time with his young family, which forced a change in Sunset Sons’ dynamic. So instead of jamming new song ideas in a rehearsal space, the band – completed by Rory Williams (vocals/keys) andPete Harper (bass) – started writing in Rory’s home studio, with each of them contributing guitar parts. After six months, jokes Laidlaw, they had “forty songs which sounded like forty different bands.” But they identified the direction they wanted to take when they penned ‘The River’, the title-track from last year’s EP. Their musical interests are diverse, but they shared a love of some essential traits: songs which are direct, rich with melody and that express a distinct meaning. They began recording near Hossegor. Working again with producer Catherine Marks (Wolf Alice, Foals, The Amazons), and the sessions were complemented by wall-of-guitars provided by new touring member Henry Eastham, and long-term collaborator Robin Howl. “It made everything sound a lot more rocking,” remembers Laidlaw.“Sometimes it takes a while for a song to reveal itself when you play it back, but these jumped out straight away.” Although the songs are immediately captivating, it’s also a headphone-friendly album full of rich detail: a range of vintage synths, sweet female backing harmonies and emotive string arrangements. They credit Marks’ ability to identity a precise sound from a loosely defined description as being key to the album living up to its full potential. As for that title? It’s a lyric which features in ‘Take Control’ and expresses a sense of familiarity that simultaneously carries a spark of excitement. It’s something that Laidlaw feels when he steps into his local beach bar, Coolin à la Plage: the site of many memorable nights out as well as the first ever Sunset Sons show, a little over five years ago. NOVEMBER 2019 6th– Kingston, Banquet 7th– Southsea, Pie & Vinyl 20th– Bristol, Thekla 21st– Falmouth, Princess Pavilion 23rd– Glasgow, SWG3 24th– Newcastle, Riverside 26th– Manchester, Academy 2 27th– Birmingham, O2 Institute 2 28th– London, Electric Brixton JANUARY 2020 15th– Amsterdam, Melkweg 16th– Paris, Le Point Éphémère 18th– Zurich, Plaza 20th– Stuttgart, Im Wizemann 21st– Cologne, Kantine 22nd– Berlin, Lido