Sonnymoon
On September 17th Sonnymoon present their self-titled longplayer through LA imprint Plug Research - the label responsible for Flying Lotus’ debut album, plus releases from Dntel, Daedalus, John Tejada, Thomas Fehlman and Bilal.
Sonnymoon are Boston duo Dane Orr and Anna Wise. Their expertly punchy, loping beats and grooves capture perfectly the Los Angeles weather; woozy, hazy, rich in colour and gloriously Sonny.
Anna’s vocals glide effortlessly over the productions like Jill Scott meets Rickie Lee Jones, with just a touch of Joni Mitchell’s jazzy inflections.
Fans of J Dilla, Dwele, Peaking Lights, Jneiro Jarel, Hudson Mohawke and D’Angelo’s ‘Voodoo’ should find much to like.
The sonic depth and attention to detail on ‘Sonnymoon’ never dips below impeccable, making for an immersive and engrossing listen.
‘Greatness’ is genuinely uplifting on its own terms, not needing to wheel out tired landfill stadium formulae.
The irresistible, sitar laden, low-slung classic ‘8’ literally pours out of your stereo and ‘Kali’ sounds like Alice Coltrane’s rhythm section borrowed the Tardis and popped by the studio.
The chanted ‘Watersboiled’ veers into the territory occupied by Regina Spektor or Joan as Police Woman, albeit with levels of bass never comprehended those ladies.
The trip darkens with the introduction of ‘Others By’, akin to Fonda and Hopper wondering into a New Orleans graveyard.
Dane and Anna met at, the prestigious Berkley College of Music, where he was studying saxophone and her singing. Part of the burgeoning LA scene, Sonnymoon have won plenty of fans, having toured with Teebs and played at Plug Research club nights alongside Shabazz Palaces and Gonjasufi.
They’ve also gained many blog utterances over the pond, plus plays on key station KCRW.