Sunflower Bean: King of the Dudes EP
Review
Sunflower Bean – King of the Dudes (EP)
Mom + Pop Music (2019)
By Eric Tra
Psych-pop rockers Sunflower Bean are back on tour packing new dance-worthy tunes from their latest EP, King of the Dudes. The four song release features an array of musical styles ranging from classic rock to pop-funk rock and even good old fashioned punk rock, resulting in a modern homage to the predominate styles of the 70’s and 80’s.
The title track opens with a bouncy power pop sound. It’s an undeniably catchy tune that features some fun, familiar sounding guitar licks – some listeners may mistake it for a theme song to a 70’s era sitcom. Meanwhile, on “Come For Me,” lead singer Julia Cumming’s creative use of her powerful falsetto growl adds a certain kind of bite and aggression to the otherwise upbeat track.
The EP’s final song, “The Big One,” provides the best example of departure, both from the rest of the EP and from Sunflower Bean’s sound as a whole. The track features the stylings of a textbook punk anthem complete with wailing, dissonant vocals and hard, fast drum and guitar melodies.
This experimentation with musical influences on King of the Dudes doesn’t come as a complete surprise given Sunflower Bean’s proclivity toward vintage tunes, but it’s clear that even in turning to the past for inspiration the band is taking a step forward. – (8/10)