Sun Songs
An abstract painting of a large red vinyl record in an orange sky setting over Hollywood in a black outline
Studio album by
Art Alexakis
ReleasedOctober 11, 2019 (2019-10-11)
RecordedApril 2018 – April 2019
StudioSugarnoise Studio, Pasadena, California, United States
GenreAlternative rock
Length37:03
LanguageEnglish
LabelBMG Rights Management/The End
Producer
  • Art Alexakis
  • Stuart Schenk

Sun Songs is the 2019 debut solo album by American alternative rock musician Art Alexakis, best known for fronting Everclear. The album was released by The End Records/BMG and received positive feedback from critics.

Recording and release

I wanted to make this record because I wanted to do something fun, challenging, and something I’ve never done before. I’ve always thought that making a solo record would be cool if I did it all by myself, and though I did need help with the engineering and production, I wrote all of the songs, played all of the instruments, and sang all of the vocals.

—Alexakis on recording Sun Songs[1]

Sun Songs was announced on early 2019 with a short promotional tour of the United States and British Isles.[2] The announcement coincided with Alexakis' revelation that he had been battling multiple sclerosis for three years, including the recording period for the album.[3] The process of recording and the lyrical content are introspective of Alexakis' health and reflections on his family life, centering the songwriting on his vocals and acoustic guitar.[4] Although he had never recorded solo material before, the songwriting that Alexakis did as part of his regular routine resulted in songs that he didn't want to use for Everclear and he entered the studio with a more spontaneous approach to recording.[5]

Critical reception

The editorial staff of AllMusic Guide gave Sun Songs four out of five stars, with reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine writing that Alexakis draws on his previous musical strength with Everclear but goes in a different direction that is more "bittersweet" without being "reflexively nostalgic" and that the artist "seems intent on not recycling his old ideas".[6]

Track listing

All songs written by Art Alexakis

  1. "Sunshine Love Song" – 1:50
  2. "California Blood" – 3:18
  3. "A House with a Pool" – 4:01
  4. "Orange" – 3:33
  5. "The Hot Water Test" – 4:11
  6. "Arizona Star" – 2:58
  7. "Look at Us Now" – 2:12
  8. "White People Scare Me" – 3:00
  9. "Sing Away" – 4:10
  10. "Line in the Sand" – 4:21
  11. "A Seat at the Table" – 3:29

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ Alexakis, Art (October 11, 2019). "Art Alexakis: A Track-by-Track Guide to My Debut Solo Album Sun Songs". Classic Rock Magazine. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  2. ↑ Cush, Andy (August 12, 2019). "Art Alexakis of Everclear Announces Debut Solo Album Sun Songs". Spin. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  3. ↑ France, Lisa Respers (March 27, 2019). "Everclear's Art Alexakis Has Multiple Sclerosis". CNN. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  4. ↑ Benitez-Eves, Tina (January 14, 2020). "Art Alexakis Opens Up About His Solo Debut, Living His American Dream, and Being a 'New' Man". Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  5. ↑ "'I Knew I Wasn't Alone': An Interview with Everclear's Art Alexakis". PopMatters. October 21, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  6. ↑ Erlwine, Stephen Thomas. "Sun Songs – Art Alexakis". AllMusic Guide. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
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