Suchmos -- Eye to Eye

 

Suchmos' "In The Zoo" wasn't the last article of theirs that I had posted. There were a couple of other articles that I also put up later about some of their earlier material, but "In The Zoo" was a track from what had been their most recent album "The Anymal" (2019) which was notable for a rather large shift in their tone of music. I noted that it was downbeat and had an avant-rockabilly sense which were adjectives that I had thought that I would never use with these guys. A couple of years later, vocalist Yonce and company decided to part ways indefinitely and later on in 2021, bassist Hsu passed away. It just seemed to be a very sad way for a cool band to break apart.

Well, almost a year ago in October 2024, Suchmos hinted that the comeback was on, and sure enough, they held their first show in Yokohama a few months ago. Then last month, the band released their first round of music in several years in the form of the EP "Sunburst" with the lead track being "Eye to Eye". And it's been getting quite a number of approving comments along with other YouTube videos associated with it including reactors' takes. 

With "Eye to Eye", it's a return to their groove-filled form and the feeling is that the party is back on so grab your dancing shoes and jackets. One reactor referenced Fujii Kaze and Jamiroquai. I see those two and raise him two more: Kirinji and Sing Like Talking. Plus, thanks to the creamy keyboards, I also feel some Bill Withers in the 1970s. As for "Sunburst", it hit No. 5 on the Oricon digital albums list and No. 8 on the overall rankings list. Good to see them back in the saddle again.