Sunlight Echoes by Whitelands
a sophisticated daydream rejecting soft focus in favour of lucidity
Whitelands’ Sunlight Echoes is a sophisticated daydream rejecting soft focus in favour of lucidity. Shining across Sunlight Echoes are the vocals of lead Etienne Quartey-Papafio, bringing murky and uneasy emotions to light. As if to answer the question found at the depths of their debut album, Night-bound Eyes Are Blind To The Day, Whitelands expresses with intelligent clarity on Sunlight Echoes exactly how it feels.
The four singles of Sunlight Echoes have for me become go-to tunes for a good kick in the mood, restoring faith or injecting a dose of positive energy on a low day - you know, in the way that only some damn fine power pop wompers can! Delightful details are found in these singles: the drum break at :54 in “Glance” or the moment where the word “forever” soars, bringing “Songbird (Forever)” into its final refrain. The band created video accompaniments to each of the four singles and the rest of the album has delivered yet more precious details in songwriting and production.
There is comforting familiarity to be found in the songs of Sunlight Echoes. “Sparklebaby”, which includes vocals from Emma Anderson, brings to mind the guitars at the start of Ride’s “Today” together with a “Caroline, No”-ness of the Beach Boys. “Mirrors” sets a dark mood that could easily fit on Songs Of A Lost World before hitting harder with heavy metal drums. And, wait… has anyone ‘til now pointed, with all fingers, what an amazing drummer Jagun is?! Michael and Etienne’s guitars take on more force deeper into the album, with “Dark Horse” and “Mirrors” sounding like more aggressive confrontations with the self, conveying jagged shards of emotions around heartbreak, resentment and desperation. Bassist Vanessa’s thick and bouncing bass lends “Golden Daze” and the end of Sunlight Echoes an undertow of joy and resolve…while also reminding me of Fugazi’s “Waiting Room”.
I share comparisons to other artists and songs realising the risk of annoying people, but as an older listener, I often find it difficult to connect with new music and younger artists. I appreciate being able to connect with something new via a bit of familiarity. Whitelands make it sound so easy to forge a new, clear and unique mark in shoegaze while also drawing inspiration from various places and people.
Both LP and CD versions of Sunlight Echoes are gorgeously done, with lyrics sheet and photo of the band… and oooh, the LP cover is embossed with the band’s name.
Can’t wait to see Whitelands perform at Grauzone Festival (7 February, The Hague) and hear where they go to next with their sound and songwriting.