Sonically leaning into inspirations from New Beat, EBM, UK Garage to Techno and Trance, the band cites Underworld, Faithless, Inoui, Front242, and A Split Second as influences. As I have seen them already on stage I can confirm they are worth it and hand out a lot of energy! Their tracks deserve to be performed on stage and will keep on going with the never ending party! This duo from Brussels (Belgium) have made huge steps forward and with this new album it all gets confirmed!
On the forthcoming album, ULTRA SUNN shares the following statement: “The album is called ‘US’, like the initials of ULTRA SUNN. In addition to being a reference to two records that we love, VU (Velvet Underground) and AM (Arctic Monkeys), it reflects the more personal texts in this album – the bond between us (Gaelle and Sam) being stronger than ever, a new musician joining us on tour, and the bond that we have created with our audience / how the concerts are carried and experienced all together with strength and love. It’s our album, it’s yours, it’s about US.”
Broken Monsters has already been launched as a single and got a lot of positive feedback! The song reminds me a bit of Depeche Mode with a sound anno 2024: modern and fresh!
When asked about the new single, the band said: "Broken Monsters, the first track from our debut LP, is a powerful hymn telling us that we tend to project to ourselves our own monsters and the demons around us. Since they take up all of the space, we tend to focus on them while the real monsters are those that seem discreet and sleepy. By this, we express that we must remain vigilant, not be blinded by our own fears and preconceptions, the sleep of reason breeds monsters. The quest for a brighter world is far from over.”
This Is Not About You has a catchy chorus that will for sure make it during gigs! The beats are great, just as the tempo. I can also quote this from the promo chat as it indeed fits this song: “The new release is an infectious, bouncy track that was inspired by the house music of early 90s Belgium. The 909 rhythms that resounded in its legendary clubs and the digital synthesizers that produce dreamy, glassy sounds take a song that lyrically pulls on the heart strings and moves it right onto the dance floor. The single sees the band exploring new ways of working, with new machines, and exuberantly displays a reinvented sound that will undoubtedly resonate with their existing fanbase while they take the project to new heights.”
On 'This Is Not About You', the band comments that they "were interested in this sort of self-victimization of some people when, ultimately, they are not at the center of the subject. The track talks about the moment when we see the people we used to love or for example, the heroes of our teenage years, reveal their true and disappointing faces. This is about the moment when they act like victims in today's fights, or in reaction to a legitimate demand to be seen, considered and respected. In this song, we no longer give them the opportunity to hurt us." Adding that they tested the track out on tour and were thrilled to see how "the public immediately adopted the track by dancing and singing with us."
Some Ghost Could Follow has a more haunting sound, still appeals to the dancefloor but keep the power lower (compared to the previous songs).
On the release, the band comments:
"The difference here is that we are a little more intimate and personal about ourselves and with you. With this track, we invite you to think about these ghosts who could follow you in the night as you wander in a city that you know too well. The streets are paved with regrets, but some ghosts seem so much weaker in the end. In the verses we mention insomnia, resilience and the memories that come back to haunt you like a hallucinatory apparition, directly and deliberately interrupted by the mantra of the chorus, like a magic spell, a prayer, a call to order."
Adding that the composition has a more orchestral aspect, comparatively, and is "somewhat more feminine. We thought of the French-Canadian singer Mylène Farmer, who is a great source of inspiration for us in her way of being, her strength, her character and her incredible stage performances. Strong and powerful women are often a source of inspiration in their gestures, their relationship with the body and in their unique sensitivity."
You _ Me reminds me a bit of Front 242 but with Dave Gahan’s voice on top and a sound crafted in 2024. It’s a great track and very much dancefloor orientated.
Lost and Found I like the more tribal sound, the beats, the catchy chorus and the global sound. It’s clearly a top track and again very much dancefloor orientated!
Shake your demons has already been launched before and mixes old school EBM with a slice of Underworld (towards the end). The composition of this song is a bit different from the other songs (and that’s a good thing here). They once again did a great job!
The truth has also some Underworld influences mixed with old school EBM, but yet they rework it into a song of their own. I like it! I love the modern sound that pops up every now and then. Clubland will be in extasy with this one!
Fall from grace is not a cover from The Mission, but a song of their own in their classic sound range. The percussion is great. Towards the end Sam’s voice sound a bit different (and it’s a good thing).
The House is a slow one without any vocals. It’s a bit weird as last track as I expected something like a big bang. Not sure if it’s a good thing as this is a track I would rather skip.
Anyway: they delivered nothing else but dancefloor orientated killer tracks (forget about the last track)! I feel they are ready to become world wide famous, getting already a lot of gigs and working hard on everything: they have the songs, the right spirit, the beats … now the fans have to show up and follow! I hope it works as they deserve it!
ULTRA SUNN ONLINE:
Website // Bandcamp // Facebook // Instagram
ARTOFFACT RECORDS ONLINE:
Bandcamp // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter
Check out our interview here: SNOOZECONTROL - ULTRA SUNN (BE) goes worldwide, delivers soon a new album and are very happy with their label: read the full interview here.
