Months after the release of their anti-Christmas tune, Sunflower Thieves are back with “How Was America”. It comes with the announcement of EP Same Blood, set to enter our ears in October. Their follow up to 2022’s Someone To Be There For, an EP I still play repeatedly to this day.
As heard on “It’s Not Like The Christmas Films”, the Leeds duo are heading into a newer, darker tone that still houses their harmonies but adds some grittiness to their sound. Lily comments on the track, “How Was America stemmed from the feeling of being ghosted by a friend, then seeing them again after a really long time, and them acting like nothing’s wrong. Friendships go through all sorts of phases and feelings, but throw in some miscommunication and hurt feelings and it can make you feel crazy”.
While I still can’t get to terms of the Elf slander, “How Was America” cements a style that flits between Indie Pop and Alt-Rock, as minimal electronic blips can be heard to bring some texture to the traditional, harmonic Sunflower Thieves foundation. Filling the room but remaining subtle in its execution, allowing the vocals to lead the way. Its topic allows it to play with the emotions that are stirred up, meaning that it flows between icy verses and catchy choruses throughout. You can easily lose yourself in its dreaminess, but there’s the occasional jagged edge in the lyrics that will catch you.
This feels like a real wintering of the Sunflower Thieves sound. It’s a departure from the idyllic, acoustic-based soundscapes and more than a few dipped toes into colder waters. “How Was America” has an edge to it while keeping the duo’s harmonious qualities at the heart of it. It’s great, and I can’t wait to also dive into this new territory when Same Blood arrives.