Music > Album Reviews

Sunflower Bean - Twentytwo In Blue

11/02/18

Sunflower Bean’s sophomore record Twentytwo in Blue is a glamorous, darkly sophisticated record that sounds like anything but the flower of their moniker.

Named for its three members’ ages, Twentytwo in Blue has found its groove and doesn’t move from it. But what a groove it is. With heady, sticky bass notes from frontwoman Julia Cumming, and glittery ‘70s-inspired guitars, the record feels comprehensive. The trio have curated 11 songs of soft yet confident alternative rock, and there’s a sense of texture and maturity in the record.

Twentytwo in Blue would have found a comfortable slot during the 1970s in New York City; there are accomplished tinges of Blondie’s new wave and Talking Heads’ art-punk in singles ‘Crisis Fest’ and ‘I Was A Fool’. While Twentytwo In Blue wanes into background listening in some places, its glam-rock appeal doesn’t fade alongside it. ‘Puppet Strings’ rides on a ravenous instrumental middle, ‘Only A Moment’ plays with bossanova and rockabilly beats, and ‘Any Way You Like’ combines strings and doo-wop.

An album that is in conversation with the decades of music that preceded it, Sunflower Bean’s Twentytwo in Blue is clearly a record with a mountain of influences. Its confidence and glamour permeates its twelve tracks, despite losing energy towards its end.

6.5/10