North American dreampop-indie risers Sungaze release the radiant new single ‘Freer Than I Could Be’.
Delivering some beautiful Doves-come-Beach House guitar lines and elegant, haunting vocal melodies, the new single showcases the stunning musicality the band are capable of. Quickly making a name for themselves by seamlessly blending the heavy, distorted tones of grunge with the light, airy vibes of dream pop, the band create a sound that is as emotionally complex as it is sonically rich.
Leaning into the breezier, brighter side of their sound with the new single, the band capture a radiant sense of brightness and optimism that shines through the full, biting yet reverb drenched sound.
Ivory Snow, who serves as the band’s vocalist and lyricist, explains the inspiration behind the song: “The initial inspiration for this song was remembering those hot, sticky, lazy summer days from childhood that seemed to go on forever. Back when the biggest worry was whether or not you had to take a bath that night, and the concept of death was foreign; something that had no place in your world.” She continues, “The first half of the song explores that feeling of invincibility, while the second half takes a look at the aftermath of that bubble of safety being burst and reckoning with the uncomfortable reality that comes with it. Wishing hard for that sense of childlike wonder and freedom, and being a little bitter that the ‘freedom’ you’re now most acquainted with, is seeing loved ones pass and trying to find comfort in the thought that they are now free of the earthly struggle.”
The collaborative effort of Hilvert and Snow draws from a wide array of musical influences, making their sound both expansive and intimate. Their music resonates with fans of artists like Mazzy Star, Widowspeak, and Beach Fossils, yet it stands out with its own distinctive flair. The live band, which includes Snow’s sister Angela Colvin on bass guitar and backing vocals, Zach Starkie on rhythm guitar, Justin Van Wagenen on drums, and Charlie Hausfeld on keys, brings Sungaze’s intricate studio recordings to life with an energy that is both powerful and ethereal.
Listen to the new single below:
