Words: Tyler Murphy
2024 gave us two major releases from Aberdeen’s own ‘The Sun Day’; A five track EP titled ‘Spacial Awareness’ and the candid live album ‘Live at Café Drummonds’. Cementing themselves as an alt-rock inspired Indie band just as edgy and raucous as they are tight and cohesive, this tribe of four roguish young men would have a lot to follow.
Finally, July of 2025 rolls around and we have ‘Now You’re Gone’. A standalone nostalgic pop-punk number reminiscent of Puddle of Mud, Fountains of Wayne or Weezer. A sharp left turn from their grittier formative works. However unexpected of a shift, this move is rather apt. While this genre is certainly nothing new, the boys make a strong case for its revival, and I for one, am buying it. If anyone can pull this off, it is to be ‘The Sun Day’: a rag tag crew who look every bit as ‘boy next door’ as they do, the cast of ‘Superbad’. Far too often you see groups of posh boys, past their heyday, trying to pull off this playful music style all the while taking themselves far too seriously. When I see ‘The Sun Day’ a band who are young, candid, and not afraid to have a laugh at their own expense, not only does it feel authentic… it feels fun. That’s what this is all about right? They’ve lent into the frat party aesthetic with their choice of cover art for the single, Ritchie, Doyle, Forret and Spink are splayed over a messy living room in a wasted heap, replete with red solo cups, dishevelled mops and indoor sunglasses. I don’t think these moves are coincidental, this is a coordinated shift that I think could be pivotal for ‘The Sun Day’.
The song opens with a pleasing chimey guitar tone, before rhythmic accompaniment falls into place in a manner which is predictable yet perfectly tasteful and pleasing to the ear. During a brief chat with the band, they talked of how this is the first time they have recorded in a professional studio with a real budget, allowing them to “take a step up in terms of production and the overall quality of the recorded track” (2025). The first evidence of this is in the crisp drum tracking, yet it is in the clear and glassy vocal sound that the professionalism of the recording really shines. The first verse ticks along with melancholic and self-deprecating lyrics, wasting no time in making it clear that the song regales a regrettable breakup. I have deemed the songs meaning to be of a repentant individual who struggled to fane enthusiasm during their relationship but quickly realised how much they had lost in hindsight. Dynamics are built up tactfully as the song progresses, amounting to an arc that retains momentum throughout. Increasing embellishments of silky lead guitar decorates the song and after an intimate dropout section, the song wraps up in a wash of brash guitar, crashing drums and expressive vocal delivery before fading back out to the muffled sound of a house party winding up for the night. Lovely, that.
My one criticism would be that the lyrics lack imagination in parts. I’d have hoped for an esoteric turn of phrase rather than the repeated expletive ‘but I f***ed it up’. Some passages are rather literal but perhaps this is only an issue of my own pedantry. The lyrics are purposely fit for the genre choice and emotional intention regardless of my reservations. All in all, ‘Now You’re Gone’ is a strong contribution to a genre in need of some fresh-faced talent. A significant gear shift for ‘The Sun Day’.
The song is available on all major streaming platforms and you can follow the band on Instagram or Facebook for gig footage and charming behind the scenes content:
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