Jonny Corralitos has unveiled ‘Who Loves The Sun’, the first taste of his forthcoming eight-song album and the follow-up to his acclaimed 2025 World Of Sound EP. A spirited reworking of The Velvet Underground classic, the single finds the veteran Californian songwriter, singer, guitarist and producer stepping into a new chapter with a sound that is both warmly familiar and freshly expansive.
Packed with glorious brass lines, striking vocal ad-libs and layered harmonies, ‘Who Loves The Sun’ is anchored by Corralitos’ warm lead vocal, with the track balancing breezy instrumentation against the more melancholy undertones of Lou Reed’s original. As an opening statement for the forthcoming album, it is an ambitious choice, but one that pays off.
The inspiration behind the cover came from Corralitos’ immediate connection with the song’s musical construction and lyrical contrasts. “initially drawn to the song because of its creative chord progression and melody”, he explains, before adding, “I also loved the poetic lyrics. The Velvet Underground were a great band. This song in particular, written by Lou Reed, has that juxtaposition of sad lyrics against breezy instrumentation and jangly rhythm guitars, which I like… It sounded like surf music, in a weird way.”
The track’s eventual arrangement grew organically from a much simpler recording. “The song/cover/track started with a click track, an acoustic guitar, and a female singer I was producing at the time. In between her songs, I would play old tunes, and we would track them, just acoustic guitar and scratch vocal. I thought this song sounded good. It had a vibe. I then began reworking the song off of the original guitar and background vocal, bringing in my musician friends to track drums, bass, keys, and pedal steel. I then overdubbed new guitar parts, added a surf guitar solo, and more background vocals. The song just developed from there. Another keyboardist I work with added horn parts; Andre Santanna added more bass, and then mixed it.”
That gradual evolution is reflected in the finished recording, where surf-inspired guitar, pedal steel, brass and layered vocals give the familiar composition a distinctly Californian character. The result feels less like a straightforward cover and more like a meeting point between Corralitos’ own musical language and the enduring songwriting of Reed.
For the new record, Corralitos has brought together an accomplished cast of musicians and collaborators. Dave Brogan of ALO takes up drums, while Andre de Santanna, known for his work with Jason Mraz, Sergio Mendes and Ziggy Marley, contributes bass. Production and mixing come from Dave Simon-Baker, whose credits include Zach Gill, ALO and Mother Hips, alongside Grammy Award winner Alfonso Rodenas. The album also sees Corralitos expanding his creative circle, bringing new collaborators into the fold alongside longtime musical partners.
The forthcoming album arrives as the latest chapter in a musical journey shaped by an unconventional upbringing. Corralitos grew up off-grid in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains, surrounded by towering redwoods as part of a small commune. He shared a teepee with his brother and picked up the guitar at just nine years old, beginning a relationship with the instrument that would eventually lead him into a career as a songwriter, performer and producer.
Listen to the new single below:
