Sun Room shifts into high gear on sun-drenched EP “Outta Their Minds”
MARCH 1ST 2023 | by EMMA SCHOORS
It’s mid-November in West Hollywood, and Dublin-based band Inhaler is set to hit the historic Troubadour’s stage in less than an hour. As such, fans line the space with expectant, wide grins and rushed whispers — who the opener is, it seems none of us are entirely sure. That’s when Sun Room walks in, casting warmth and Californian charm on the otherwise bitterly cold night.
Luke Asgian is bearing the delectable brunt of lead singer, and if the thrilled looks on 500 fans’ faces are any indication, he’s making a great first impression. As their set commences, the term surf-rock comes to mind; beachy riffs and Dennis Wilson informed rhythm define their songs, but it’s their carefree energy that reels the crowd in from the very start. That night bore witness to a band destined for widespread popularity, and their latest EP, Outta Their Minds, is the best curveball they could have thrown in their ascent to it.
Cadillac kicks things off, and it takes a second or two to realize you’re not listening to an early Rolling Stones live recording. Drummer Gibby Anderson drives the track rhythmically, while Asgian debuts a newly intensified vocal approach. “I don’t have a dime to my name, I don’t got fame, but my love remains,” he explains. In the space between 2022’s I Want You and today, they’ve grown harmoniously rich, sporting rasp and grit in place of their lighter signature sound. As the EP veers into Kaden’s Van, it’s clear that renewed energy is here to stay. “No job, no pay, don’t need it anyway,” Asgian cheers, while bassist Max Pinamonti lays down a solid percussive foundation. Asgian tells tales of broken-down vans, cops getting called, and endless summers, mixing gorgeously to create a sonic atmosphere so vibrant, you can’t help but sing along. Upon first listen, in the midst of a winter day in New York, I found myself instantaneously transported back to the scorching comfort of California.
Sunset Garage begins in a similar fashion, but with a romantic twist; Asgian details the dreamy story of falling in love with the girl working on his car. Guitarist Ashton Minnich shines especially bright here with flowery riffs, while Anderson continues in his reliable beat. The end of the EP reluctantly comes in the form of title track Outta Their Minds, and as the track fades slowly away, Sun Room transforms from an unassuming Southern Californian quarter to a band in flawless full throttle. In just above 10 minutes, the EP manages to change your entire perspective of the group.
California has an overflow of musical acts to be proud of, but Sun Room is steadily rising to the top of the ranks. Fueled by warm summer sunsets, sanguine lyrics, and more recently the grip of rock and roll, they’ve cemented their place as a band to keep your eyes and ears fixated on in the years to come. Where Sun Room goes, thousands of fans follow, and we strongly suggest you come along for the ride.
Listen to Sun Room’s new EP “Outta Their Minds” below.