Sun Coming Down

Last updated
Sun Coming Down
Ought - Sun Coming Down.jpg
Studio album by
Ought
Released18 September 2015
Studio Hotel2Tango
Genre Indie rock
Length40:28
Label Constellation Records
Producer Radwan Ghazi Moumneh
Ought chronology
More Than Any Other Day
(2014)		Sun Coming Down
(2015)		 Room Inside the World
(2018)

Sun Coming Down is the second studio album by indie rock band Ought, released on 17 June 2022 by Constellation Records. The album was written and recorded over a two-month period in the Montreal studio Hotel2Tango and produced by Radwan Ghazi Moumneh. Upon release, Sun Coming Down received generally positive reviews from music critics, with praise directed to lead singer Tim Darcy's vocal delivery and the album's socially aware and emotionally sincere lyrics. Several critics named the album as one of the best of the year and its song Beautiful Blue Sky as one of the best of the decade.

Contents

Background and recording

Sun Coming Down was conceived following touring for the band's previous album, More Than Any Other Day, released in 2014. [1] The album was written and recorded over a two-month period in the Hotel2Tango studio in Montreal, and produced by Radwan Ghazi Moumneh, with the band's recording routine undertaken on a "strict schedule" in contrast to the recording process for its predecessor. [2] [3] [1] [4] Lead Tim Darcy stated the songs developed "in a vacuum" and without "pre-determination", mostly created in the studio during recording sessions, and developed collaboratively and with an openness to exploring the extremes of "loud and fast" and "quieter" directions for songs. [4] [5] Darcy stated that his speak-singing vocal delivery on the album was borne from losing his voice when yelling, and the delivery allowed him to more clearly enunciate his lyrics. [6] The band trialled songs for the album in live shows from April 2015. [4]

Release and promotion

Sun Coming Down was announced by the band in July 2015, announcing a North American tour and releasing the songs Beautiful Blue Sky and Men for Miles. [7] [8] The album was made available for streaming on 11 September, [9] and released on 18 September. [10] A music video for the title track, Sun's Coming Down, directed by Aaliyeh Afshar and Max Taeuschel, was released on the same day. [11] The band toured the album in North America over August to October 2015, [7] including at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. [12]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 80% [13]
Review scores
SourceRating
Consequence B [14]
Drowned in Sound 8/10 [15]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [16]
MusicOMH Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [17]
Pitchfork 8.0 [18]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [19]
SPIN 8/10 [20]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [21]
The Line of Best Fit 8/10 [22]
Uncut 7/10 [23]

According to 'review aggregator Metacritic, Sun Coming Down received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, [13] and named as an album of the week for SPIN and The Line of Best Fit. [20] [22] The publications PopMatters , The Skinny and Far Out stated that the album was one of the best of 2015. [24] [25] [26]

Many critics praised the album's sound as an improvement over its predecessor, More Than Any Other Day. Guia Cortassa of The Quietus considered it to be a "natural continuation" and "valuable step forward" on its predecessor due to the album's "sharp and witty" lyrics and sincere focus on "the frantic bewilderment of solitude and despair of our times". [27] Magic stated that the album was "more eclectic and experimental" than its predecessor. [28] Similarly, Kevin Korber of PopMatters found the album to be "every bit as thrilling and refreshing" as the preceding album, featuring a "newfound abstractness" and tense performance. [29] Tom Jowett of The Line of Best Fit highlighted the album's "terse guitar work", "laconic vocal delivery" and stylistic simplicity, considering the more minimal approach provided the band room to have "greater freedom and intensity" and an "inherent naturalism". [22] Describing the band's music as "nervous, antsy, sometimes hostile, yet intoxicatingly vibrant" Stuart Berman of Pitchfork praised Sun Coming Down as a "more aggressive" and "cryptic" album. [18] Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone compared the album's "abrasive guitar" to Mission of Burma and Darcy's vocal delivery to The Fall assessing the band as writing "harsh songs for harsh times". [19] Michael Hann of The Guardian found the album to have an "engrossing" sense of "relaxed intensity", stating "the songs ebb and flow, build and release, singer Tim Darcy expressing both anxiety and aceptance." [21]

Lead Tim Darcy's vocal delivery and lyrics were praised by critics. Harley Brown of SPIN assessed Darcy's lyrics to have a poetic quality as a "verbal acrobat", comparing the lyrics to the work of David Foster Wallace in expressing "self-awareness balancing between celebrating and eviscerating the mundane". [20] Similarly, Juan Edgardo Rodriguez of No Ripcord considered the album to bridge "caustic irony and blunt sincerity", noting that whilst Darcy was a "particularly unflattering vocalist", his "amusing and stimulating one-liners", "frantic irreverence" and "feral intelligence" were engrossing. [30] Tristan Bath of Drowned in Sound commended the album's balance of "schizophrenic, paranoid, patchwork songwriting" with its "wit and emotional complexity", considering the album's uneasiness to be offset by an "implicit sense of hope and understanding we get from these songs". [15] Describing the album as "loose and taut in equal measure", Katie Hawthorne of The Skinny focused on the pathos of Darcy's delivery and "socially acute lyricism". [3] Robert Christgau stated that Darcy "fuses the detachment of a lecturer with the morality of a prophet", highlighting the "constriction and unresolved tension of the music". [31]

The song Beautiful Blue Sky received specific praise. Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone named the song as the second-best song of the decade, commending its "life affirming" nature and describing it as an uplifting song "that can catch you in a bleak moment and remind you it’s not over yet". [32] Far Out also named the song as one of the best of the decade, stating it "defined the band's career" and was the centrepiece of "one of the decade's finest albums". [26] Scott Russell of Paste retrospectively named the song as the best released by the band, highlighting it as the "apex of their sound" for its "utterly mesmerizing post-punk construction" and capacity to "rescue meaning from life's exhausting churn". [33] Martin Young of MusicOMH described the song as a "defining moment" and "epiphany" about "the futility of modernity and mundanity" and evidence of the "transcendent and moving" potential of indie rock. [17] Stereogum described the song as a "perfect happy-sad song" and "multi-layered critique of development and unending consumerism". [34] DIY stated that Beautiful Blue Sky featured "raw and inspiring verses" and an "almightily uplifting refrain that’s full of expectation, wonder and a hospitable intimacy in its tone". [35]

Track listing

Sun Coming Down track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Men for Miles"5:45
2."Passionate Turn"5:18
3."The Combo"3:35
4."Sun Coming Down"5:03
5."Beautiful Blue Sky"7:44
6."Celebration"3:12
7."On The Line"5:04
8."Never Better"4:47
Total length:40:28

Personnel

Related Research Articles

Slowcore, also known as sadcore, is a subgenre of indie rock characterised by subdued tempos with typically minimalist instrumentation alongside solemn and melancholic lyrical performances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nivek Ogre</span> Canadian musician, artist and actor

Kevin Graham Ogilvie, known professionally as Nivek Ogre, is a Canadian musician, performance artist and actor, best known for his work with the industrial music group Skinny Puppy, which he co-founded with cEvin Key. Since 1982, he has served as Skinny Puppy's primary lyricist and vocalist, occasionally providing instrumentation and samples. Ogre's charismatic personality, guttural vocals and use of costumes, props, and fake blood on stage helped widen Skinny Puppy's fanbase and has inspired numerous other musicians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sun Kil Moon</span> American folk rock act

Sun Kil Moon is an American folk rock act from San Francisco, California, founded in 2002. Initially a continuation of the defunct indie rock band Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon is now the primary recording moniker of vocalist and guitarist Mark Kozelek. The project is named after the Korean super flyweight boxer Sung-Kil Moon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Hawley</span> English musician (born 1967)

Richard Willis Hawley is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer. After his first band Treebound Story broke up, Hawley found success as a member of Britpop band Longpigs in the 1990s. After that group broke up in 2000, he joined the band Pulp, led by his friend Jarvis Cocker, for a short time. As a solo musician, Hawley has released eight studio albums. He has been nominated for a Mercury prize twice and once for a Brit Award. He has collaborated with Lisa Marie Presley, Shakespears Sister, Arctic Monkeys, Manic Street Preachers, Elbow, Duane Eddy and Paul Weller.

<i>Cleanse Fold and Manipulate</i> 1987 studio album by Skinny Puppy

Cleanse Fold and Manipulate is the third studio album by Canadian electro-industrial group Skinny Puppy. The album was released in 1987 and was supported by a single, "Addiction". The album was further supported by the Head Trauma tour, which spanned across North America and Europe. Ain't it Dead Yet?, a recording of the group performing in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, was released on video in 1989 and CD in 1991.

<i>Illinois</i> (Sufjan Stevens album) 2005 album by Sufjan Stevens

Illinois is a 2005 concept album by American singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens. His fifth studio album, it features songs referencing places, events, and persons related to the U.S. state of Illinois. Illinois is Stevens' second based on a U.S. state—part of a planned series of fifty that began with the 2003 album Michigan and that Stevens has since acknowledged was a joke. It was adapted into a musical, Illinoise, in 2023 and, after playing smaller venues, opened at the St. James Theatre on Broadway in April 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mogwai</span> Scottish post-rock band

Mogwai are a Scottish post-rock band, formed in 1995 in Glasgow. The band consists of Stuart Braithwaite, Barry Burns, Dominic Aitchison, and Martin Bulloch (drums). Mogwai typically compose lengthy guitar-based instrumental pieces that feature dynamic contrast, melodic bass guitar lines, and heavy use of distortion and effects.

<i>All Shook Down</i> 1990 album by the Replacements

All Shook Down is the seventh and final studio album by the American rock band The Replacements, released on September 25, 1990, by Sire Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Blue Sky</span> 1978 single by Electric Light Orchestra

"Mr. Blue Sky" is a song by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), featured on the band's seventh studio album Out of the Blue (1977). Written and produced by frontman Jeff Lynne, the song forms the fourth and final track of the "Concerto for a Rainy Day" suite on side three of the original double album. "Mr. Blue Sky" was the second single to be taken from Out of the Blue, peaking at number 6 in the UK Singles Chart and number 35 in the US Billboard Charts.

<i>Sky Blue Sky</i> 2007 studio album by Wilco

Sky Blue Sky is the sixth studio album by American rock band Wilco, released on May 15, 2007 by Nonesuch Records. Originally announced on January 17, 2007 at a show in Nashville, Tennessee, it was the band's first studio album with guitarist Nels Cline and multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone. Before its release, the band streamed the entire album on its official website and offered a free download of "What Light".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health (band)</span> American noise rock band

Health is an American noise rock/industrial band from Los Angeles, California. The band currently consists of drummer BJ Miller, vocalist and guitarist Jake Duzsik, and bassist and producer John Famiglietti. It formerly also included Jupiter Keyes, who left in 2015. Originating from the Los Angeles underground experimental music community, they gained prominence with a remix of "Crimewave" by Crystal Castles before releasing a self-titled album in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Headmaster Ritual</span> 1985 song by The Smiths

"The Headmaster Ritual" is a song by English band the Smiths that appeared as the first song on their second studio album, Meat Is Murder (1985). It was released as a single in the Netherlands. The music was written by Johnny Marr and the lyrics by Morrissey.

<i>The Midnight Organ Fight</i> 2008 studio album by Frightened Rabbit

The Midnight Organ Fight is the second studio album by Scottish indie rock band Frightened Rabbit. Recorded during 2007 between studios at Bridgeport, Connecticut and Glasgow, Scotland, the album was released on 14 April 2008 through independent label Fat Cat Records. Hailed by critics as "one of the finest [breakup records] of recent vintage", frontman Scott Hutchison has described the album as being "a lot more intense" than its predecessor Sing the Greys (2006). Following the album's completion, it took around a month for him to be able to listen to it. The album's title comes from a line in the song "Fast Blood", and is said to be a euphemism for sex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xan Tyler</span> British pop singer

Xan Tyler is a British pop singer.

<i>Public Strain</i> 2010 studio album by Women

Public Strain is the second and final studio album by Canadian rock band Women. It was released on August 23, 2010, via Flemish Eye in Canada and Jagjaguwar in the United States. The album was produced by Chad VanGaalen and recorded during a period of isolation for the band with limited equipment and experimental techniques involved in the 10-month recording process. It has been noted for the key and vocal delivery, unique sound and krautrock style, influence from the Velvet Underground, and numerous genres including post-punk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ought (band)</span> Post-punk band from Montreal, Quebec

Ought was a post-punk band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The band consisted of Tim Darcy, Ben Stidworthy, Matt May (keyboards) and Tim Keen (drums).

<i>Room Inside the World</i> 2018 studio album by Ought

Room Inside the World is the third and final studio album by Canadian art punk band, Ought. The album was released on February 16, 2018, through Merge Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Skinner (drummer)</span> English drummer (born 1980)

Tom Skinner is an English drummer, percussionist and record producer. He co-founded the jazz band Sons of Kemet and the rock band the Smile. He has released two albums under the name Hello Skinny. His first album under his own name, Voices of Bishara, was released in November 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cola (band)</span> Post-punk band from Montreal, Quebec

Cola is a post-punk band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The band consists of Tim Darcy, Ben Stidworthy (bass), and Evan Cartwright (drums).

<i>Deep in View</i> 2022 debut album by Cola

Deep in View is the debut studio album by Canadian post-punk band Cola. It was released on May 20, 2022, via Fire Talk Records.

References

  1. 1 2 Mertens, Max (25 September 2015). "Ought: The Void Is Listening". Exclaim!. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  2. ↑ "Ben Stidworthy From 'Ought'". Northern Transmissions. 21 September 2015. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  3. 1 2 Hawthorne, Katie (2 September 2015). "Ought – Sun Coming Down". The Skinny. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Hawthorne, Katie (1 September 2015). "Ought on Sun Coming Down". The Skinny. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  5. ↑ Claymore, Gabriela Tully (30 July 2015). "Q&A: Ought On David Foster Wallace, Banning Shirtless Bros, & Their New Album Sun Coming Down". Stereogum. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  6. ↑ Ratliff, Ben (7 September 2015). "Ought's 'Sun Coming Down': Polar Opposites, but Hand in Hand". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  7. 1 2 Monroe, Jazz (29 July 2015). "Ought Share "Men for Miles", Announce North American Tour". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  8. ↑ Camp, Zoe (7 July 2015). "Ought Announce New Album Sun Coming Down, Share "Beautiful Blue Sky"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  9. ↑ Brodsky, Rachel (11 September 2015). "You Ought to Stream Ought's New Album, 'Sun Coming Down'". SPIN. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  10. ↑ Camp, Zoe (7 July 2015). "Ought Announce New Album Sun Coming Down, Share "Beautiful Blue Sky"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  11. ↑ "Teens Ride Around on Bikes in Ought's "Sun's Coming Down" Video". Pitchfork. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  12. ↑ "Ought Perform "The Weather Song" and "Sun's Coming Down" at Pitchfork Music Festival". Pitchfork. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  13. 1 2 "Sun Coming Down". Metacritic. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  14. ↑ Corcoran, Nina (24 September 2015). "Album Review: Ought – Sun Coming Down". Consequence. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  15. 1 2 Bath, Tristan (18 September 2015). "Ought: Sun Coming Down". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  16. ↑ Carden, Andrew (November 2015). "Ought - Sun Coming Down". Mojo. No. 264. p. 90.
  17. 1 2 Young, Martyn (21 September 2015). "Ought - Sun Coming Down". MusicOMH. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  18. 1 2 Berman, Stuart (15 September 2015). "Sun Coming Down". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  19. 1 2 Sheffield, Rob (22 September 2015). "Sun Coming Down". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  20. 1 2 3 Brown, Harley (14 September 2015). "Review: Ought Lean Into the Futility of Existence on 'Sun Coming Down'". SPIN. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  21. 1 2 Hann, Michael (2 October 2015). "Ought: Sun Coming Down review – intense, engrossing alt-rock". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  22. 1 2 3 Jowett, Tom (15 September 2015). "Ought - "Sun Coming Down"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  23. ↑ Anderson, Jason (October 2015). "Ought: Sun Coming Down". Uncut. p. 81.
  24. ↑ "The 80 Best Albums of 2015". PopMatters. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  25. ↑ "The 50 Best Albums of 2015". The Skinny. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  26. 1 2 "The 100 best songs of the 2010s". Far Out Magazine. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  27. ↑ Cortassa, Guia (18 September 2015). "Ought: Sun Coming Down Review". The Quietus. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  28. ↑ "Ought - Sun Coming Down". Magic. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  29. ↑ Korber, Kevin (25 September 2015). "Ought: Sun Coming Down". PopMatters. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  30. ↑ Rodriguez, Juan Edgardo (21 September 2015). "Ought: Sun Coming Down". No Ripcord. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  31. ↑ Christgau, Robert. "Ought". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  32. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (23 December 2019). "Rob Sheffield's 50 Best Songs of the 2010s". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  33. ↑ Russell, Scott (17 November 2021). "The 10 Best Ought Songs". Paste. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  34. ↑ Claymore, Gabriela Tully (7 July 2015). "Ought – "Beautiful Blue Sky"". Stereogum. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  35. ↑ "Ought - Beautiful Blue Sky". DIY. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.