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Sunlight (Spacey Jane album)

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Sunlight
The four band members standing in front of a purple and yellow gradient, looking up to their right.
Studio album by
Spacey Jane
Released12 June 2020
RecordedJanuary–December 2019
Studio
Genre
Length41:50
LabelAWAL
ProducerDave Parkin
Spacey Jane chronology
In the Slight
(2018) 		Sunlight
(2020) 		Here Comes Everybody
(2022)
Singles from Sunlight
  1. "Good Grief"
    Released: 24 April 2019
  2. "Good for You"
    Released: 15 August 2019
  3. "Head Cold"
    Released: 12 November 2019
  4. "Skin"
    Released: 26 February 2020
  5. "Straightfaced"
    Released: 1 May 2020

Sunlight is the debut studio album by Australian indie rock band Spacey Jane, released on 12 June 2020 through AWAL. It was recorded throughout all of 2019 and produced by Dave Parkin. Sunlight is the band's final release to include contributions from bassist Amelia Murray, who plays on the album alongside her successor Peppa Lane. Described by frontman Caleb Harper as an album "full of apologies",[1] Sunlight lyrically acts as a reflection on his mental health amidst relationship breakdowns, in contrast to its affable melodies and jangling instrumentation.[2]

Supported by five singles and several national tours throughout 2019 to 2021, Sunlight contains the band's triple-platinum track "Booster Seat". Debuting at number two on the ARIA Albums Chart, the record was voted number one in Triple J's Album Poll and was nominated for Independent Album of the Year and Best Independent Rock Album at the 2021 AIR Awards. For selling over 35,000 copies, Sunlight was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in 2022.

Background

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In November 2018, Spacey Jane released their second extended play (EP), In the Slight. In July 2019, the group announced bassist Amelia Murray would be amicably leaving the band to pursue a career in medicine.[3] She was soon replaced by Peppa Lane from Margaret River, who had studied at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and performed on double bass in her group, the Friendly Folk.[4] On 20 December 2019, Spacey Jane signed with English record label AWAL, following a "breakout year" for the band, having become the fifth most-played artist on Triple J Unearthed in 2019.[5]

Recording

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Frontman Caleb Harper wrote most of Sunlight over 18 months beginning in mid-2018. In that time, he experienced both the beginning and the end of a relationship, which informed much of the record's lyricism.[6] Spacey Jane recorded the album from January to December 2019,[7] in approximately 10 studio sessions arranged around the band members' work and studies.[2][8] Harper has said that it was difficult trying to craft a thematically cohesive record given the intermittent recording schedule.[6]

Out of the twelve tracks on Sunlight, five were co-written by Murray before her departure, and she performs bass guitar in five songs including "Booster Seat", which also features backing vocals from new member Lane.[9] Some songs were written while the band was in the studio, including the title track and "Trucks".[10] The latter features the first and only vocal take Harper recorded for the song, with a synth demo that guitarist Ashton Harman-Le Cornu created on his phone.[10] Sunlight was produced by Dave Parkin in Perth, who had worked with the band on their first two EPs, and mastered by William Bowden in Launceston, Tasmania.[11]

Composition

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"Trucks" features a prominent synth line in the chorus, which was recorded by Le Cornu on his phone, and features Harper's first vocal take.[10]

Described as an alternative[12] and indie rock album focused around jangling guitars,[2] the addition of synth lines and cooing backing vocals on Sunlight marked an expansion in the band's musical palette.[8] Harper was admittedly nervous about these textural changes, saying to NME the album has "no sound to it that is typical of us".[8] The band experimented, particularly on "Weightless", which features a synth arpeggio and no distinctive riffs. Harper said the track was "a test to see how ready we are to expand beyond the indie based guitar music we’ve been making".[10] Drummer Kieran Lama explored alternative percussion options on "Skin", using congas for the first time in a Spacey Jane song.[10]

Most of Sunlight is written from Harper's perspective, regarding his relationships and mental health.[2]

While the album's instrumentation is often uptempo, with "Good for You" in particular containing "frantic guitar solos and rough-around-the-edges grit",[13] Harper's lyricism on Sunlight emphasises introspection,[14] anxiety and depression[10] due to relationship breakdowns with romantic partners and family.[14] "Booster Seat", in particular, explores feelings of guilt and losing control,[13] while "Trucks" sees Harper at his "most wrenching and inconsolable", according to one reviewer.[12] Meanwhile, the "tight, sour-faced rock" production on "Love Me Like I Haven't Changed" features "wispy harmony vocals" and a sound reminiscent of the Strokes, per Ben Malkin of music publication Indie Is Not a Genre.[12] Reflecting on his bandmate's conversational tone, Lama said Harper's lyrics reminded him of pop-punk and emo writing styles, particularly that of Modern Baseball.[8]

Release and promotion

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"Good Grief" was released as the album's lead single on 24 April 2019,[15] and was supported by a six-date Australian tour.[16] The second single, "Good for You", was released on 15 August.[17] It would later poll at number 80 in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2019, marking the band's first appearance in the annual countdown.[18] "Head Cold" was released on 12 November as the third single, and was supported by the national Head Cold Tour.[19] Sunlight was officially announced on 26 February 2020, along with the track list, cover art, release date, details of a third national tour, and the fourth single, "Skin".[20] On 1 May, "Straightfaced" was issued as the fifth single.[21]

Sunlight was released on 12 June 2020, in the throes of the first COVID-19 lockdowns in Australia.[2] On the day, the band held an online party with customers of the album via Zoom.[22] With border closures affecting Western Australia, tour dates coinciding with the album's release were cancelled, including their headlining tour of the United Kingdom and remaining dates of their Australia & New Zealand Skin Tour.[21][23] Lama, who also manages the band, said planning a tour at the height of the pandemic was a major logistical challenge and a financial risk, and that he'd "never take live music for granted anymore."[24] From March 2021, they embarked on an Australian tour in support of Sunlight, with support from Carla Geneve.[25] The 15 initial shows almost sold out within 30 minutes – seven extra dates were later added.[26]

Sunlight peaked at number two on the ARIA Albums Chart and topped Triple J's annual Album Poll.[27] At the 2021 AIR Awards, Sunlight was nominated for Independent Album of the Year and Best Independent Rock Album.[28] In the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2020, album track "Booster Seat" polled at number two,[29] after several publications predicted it to top the countdown.[30][31] Three other songs from the album also featured in the list.[32] In June 2021, Spacey Jane released a limited edition, deluxe LP box set of Sunlight, featuring two previously-unreleased studio tracks, three live performances, and a cover of "Fill in the Blank" by Car Seat Headrest.[33]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Canberra Times[14]
NME[13]
Upset[34]
The West Australian[35]

Sunlight received "widespread acclaim" upon release.[36] Reviewing for NME, Shutler wrote that "as huge as Spacey Jane sound on Sunlight, it's never at the expense of their heartfelt honesty".[13] Declan Byrne of Triple J summarised the album as "one of the smoothest indie rock rides you’ll enjoy from an Aussie guitar band this year," praising its "breezy-sounding songs with emotional weight and heft".[2] Looking ahead to their next endeavours, Josh Leeson for the Canberra Times said the band still has "plenty of room to mature in future releases to flesh out a more unique sound".[14]

Track listing

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Standard edition

All tracks are written by Caleb Harper, Kieran Lama, Peppa Lane and Ashton Hardman-Le Cornu, unless otherwise noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Good for You"
  • Harper
  • Lama
  • Le Cornu
  • Amelia Murray
2:54
2."Head Cold"
  • Harper
  • Lama
  • Le Cornu
  • Murray
3:07
3."Skin" 3:14
4."Good Grief"
  • Harper
  • Lama
  • Le Cornu
  • Murray
3:48
5."Wasted on Me" 3:48
6."Booster Seat"
  • Harper
  • Lama
  • Le Cornu
  • Murray
4:28
7."Love Me Like I Haven't Changed" 3:58
8."Weightless" 4:11
9."Straightfaced"
  • Harper
  • Lama
  • Lane
  • Le Cornu
  • Murray
3:38
10."Trucks" 3:12
11."Hanging" 3:24
12."Sunlight" 2:08
Total length:41:50

Deluxe box set

Side three
No.TitleLength
1."Up Against It"3:17
2."Under My Breath"3:36
3."Skin" (Live on the Ocean)3:14
Side four
No.TitleLength
1."Good for You" (Live on the Ocean)2:54
2."Booster Seat" (Live at Fremantle Arts Centre)4:29
3."Fill in the Blank" (Car Seat Headrest cover)4:03
Total length:63:23

Personnel

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Musicians

  • Caleb Harper – lead vocals, guitar, writing
  • Ashton Hardman-Le Cornu – lead guitar, writing
  • Kieran Lama – drums, writing
  • Peppa Lane – bass guitar, backing vocals; writing (tracks 3, 5, 7–12)
  • Amelia Murray – bass guitar, backing vocals; writing (tracks 1–2, 4, 6, 9)

Additional personnel

  • Dave Parkin – producer
  • William Bowden – mastering
  • Daniel Hildebrand – photography
  • Garreth Pearse – deluxe edition design
  • Matt Sav – cover photography

Charts

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Weekly charts

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Weekly chart performance for Sunlight
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[37] 2

Year-end charts

[edit]
2020 year-end chart performance for Sunlight
Chart (2020) Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[38] 100
2021 year-end chart performance for Sunlight
Chart (2021) Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[39] 42
2022 year-end chart performance for Sunlight
Chart (2022) Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[40] 67

Certifications

[edit]
List of certifications for Sunlight
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[41] Gold 35,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Newstead, Al (26 February 2020). "Spacey Jane announce debut album with new single 'Skin'". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Spacey Jane's debut album makes sunny songs out of sad situations". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 11 June 2020. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  3. ^ Collins, Simon (4 July 2019). "New songs, new shows and no problems for Middle Kids". The West Australian. Seven West Media. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  4. ^ Lefebvre, Nicky (20 February 2021). "Margaret River Local 'Stoked' as Music Career Takes Off". Augusta-Margaret River Mail. Archived from the original on 18 March 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  5. ^ Wilson, Zanda (20 December 2019). "Spacey Jane ink global deal with AWAL". The Music Network. Archived from the original on 22 November 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Album of the Week: Spacey Jane's 'Sunlight' Is Exactly What You Need Today". The Music. 12 June 2020. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  7. ^ Spacey Jane's debut album makes sunny songs out of sad situations (Radio broadcast). Triple J. 11 June 2020. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022. We started off recording it in, I think January of 2019, and sort of completed it around December the same year ... we would've done upwards of 10 sessions.
  8. ^ a b c d Martin, Josh (8 June 2020). "Spacey Jane are the Fremantle garage rock optimists letting the 'Sunlight' in". NME. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  9. ^ Fiore, Briana (22 February 2023). "Former Spacey Jane bassist Amelia Murray on choosing medicine over music career". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Davies, Hayden (21 June 2020). "Album Walkthrough: Spacey Jane break down their debut album, Sunlight". Pilerats. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  11. ^ Jenke, Tyler (12 June 2020). "Spacey Jane have unleashed their stunning debut album, 'Sunlight'". Tone Deaf. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Malkin, Ben (11 June 2020). "Spacey Jane - Sunlight Review". Indie Is Not a Genre. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  13. ^ a b c d Shutler, Ali (18 June 2020). "Spacey Jane – 'Sunlight' review: huge songs at no expense of heartfelt honesty". NME. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  14. ^ a b c d Leeson, Josh (10 June 2020). "Review: Spacey Jane - Sunlight". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Good Grief, by Spacey Jane". 24 April 2019. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022 – via Bandcamp.
  16. ^ "Events: Spacey Jane (WA) - Single Launch w. Hoi Palloi + Franjapan". 3RRR. 1 May 2019. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  17. ^ Flick, Cooper (29 August 2019). "Spacey Jane Is Good For You". Scenestr. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  18. ^ Byrne, Declan (30 January 2020). "The secret life of Spacey Jane". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  19. ^ "Spacey Jane's New Single Is Here & They're Heading Out On Tour Next Week To Show It Off". The Music. 13 November 2019. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  20. ^ Langford, Jackson (25 February 2020). "Spacey Jane announce debut album, 'Sunlight', with new single, 'Skin'". NME. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  21. ^ a b Rose, Anna (1 May 2020). "Spacey Jane share new single 'Straightfaced'". NME. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  22. ^ Gallagher, Alex (12 June 2020). "Spacey Jane announce 'Sunlight' Zoom party". NME. Archived from the original on 11 April 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  23. ^ Carder, Reuben (22 April 2020). "Pandemic halts Spacey Jane tour plans". Geraldton Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  24. ^ Somerford, Ben (19 November 2020). "Interview: Spacey Jane talk J Awards & returning to touring, 'I'll never take live music for granted anymore'". The AU Review. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  25. ^ Newstead, Al (2 February 2021). "Don't miss Spacey Jane on their 2021 'Sunlight' Australian tour". Triple J. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  26. ^ English, Laura (5 February 2021). "Spacey Jane Add Seven New Shows To Sold Out 'Sunlight' National Tour". Music Feeds. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  27. ^ Byrne, Declan (13 December 2020). "Spacey Jane tops the 2020 Triple J Album Poll". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  28. ^ "2021 AIR Awards Winners". Scenestr. 5 August 2021. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  29. ^ Newstead, Al (23 January 2021). "Spacey Jane 'Booster Seat': Behind the Hottest Australian song of 2020". Triple J. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  30. ^ Davies, Hayden. "We're Calling It: Spacey Jane's 'Booster Seat' May Be the Hottest 100's Unexpected Champ". Pilerats. Archived from the original on 31 August 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  31. ^ Leeson, Josh (22 January 2021). "From heat waves to booster seats to WAP, we preview Triple J's Hottest 100 contenders". The Examiner. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  32. ^ Gwee, Karen (23 January 2021). "Spacey Jane the highest-ranking Australian artist of Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2020". NME. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  33. ^ "Spacey Jane – Sunlight (Deluxe Box Set)". Discogs. 11 June 2021. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  34. ^ Loftin, Steven (29 July 2020). "Spacey Jane - Sunlight". Upset. Dork. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  35. ^ Collins, Simon (13 June 2020). "Review: WA band Spacey Jane's debut Sunlight named Triple J feature album as Simon Collins gives out-of-this-world review". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 21 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  36. ^ Gallagher, Alex (9 August 2021). "Spacey Jane have finished recording their second album". NME. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  37. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Spacey Jane – Sunlight". Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  38. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2020". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  39. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2021". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  40. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums Chart for 2022". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  41. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
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