Sunburn

Sunburn is a four-piece based in Dublin consisting of Zak Coghlan (vocals), Conor McLoughlin (guitar), Charlie Webster (bass) and Colm Geraghty (drums). They spent the pandemic relentlessly writing and crafting their sound in the studio. Seemingly, their hard work is paying off as ‘Thunder’ was featured on Spotify’s ‘New Music Friday UK’ and opened the show on release night on BBC Across the Line with Gemma Bradley.

‘Thunder’ is a falling-in and-out-of-love song. Zak’s vocals reminded me of Alex Turner from the early Arctic Monkeys’ days and I was won over by the band’s edgier side to indie rock that often gets cast aside. There is nothing wrong with dreamy, sweet, pop-infused indie bands but this is where Sunburn stands out.

To say ‘Thunder’ carries itself proudly and assertively is an understatement. There is a sense of exasperation that sounds exhilarating. The band has an underlying power which surges with electricity even in the song’s softer moments. They have captured a rare rock powerhouse quality of Biffy Clyro (and, if it is not too far a comparison, U2) that is deeply sincere.

‘Thunder’ is out now.