‘Sunshine’ is everything its title promises: catchy summer melodies applied to Jungle’s unmistakable retro style. Staying within the musical framework they have explored and developed in their latest work, the British trio presents their most tropical collection of songs to date, drawing inspiration from Brazilian music of the 60s and 70s, and from their impossibly catchy choruses.
We all thought that ‘Volcano’ would be Jungle’s quintessential summer album. If that record was perfect for August nights, ‘Sunshine’ would be the best choice for mornings. In these tracks you can dance, of course, but above all they offer a good moment for reflection. This is where songs like the natural and sweet “Carry On” or “The Wave”, medicine for any emotional setback, gain particular prominence in their contrast between music and lyrics: “Keep going / No one had made me feel this defenseless,” sings Lydia Kitto in the first verse.
Just as day and night, the music generally feels like a continuation of the familiar style rather than a new chapter. This is the case with “Move Like You Do” or “Romeo II”, which is literally the spiritual sequel to a 2021 track that it fails to do justice to. This is the weakest point of the LP, feeling too derivative. The same happens with “Sunshine” or “Where Are You Now”, but their melodies are far stronger. And this is the key to the album’s second half.
Songs like the wonderful “Heavy On My Soul”, which includes one of Lydia’s best vocal performances, or “Carry On” do represent moments of freshness for Jungle, sounding intentionally like a real band, and not like DJs in disguise. Likewise, the sexy R&B experiment of “Natural” and the psychedelic “Reflection”, closer to Tame Impala’s “Lonerism” than to a dance floor, are more than welcome on the tracklist. Finally, proving that the best way to combat predictability is with strong songs, there are “The Wave” and “Someday, Somewhere.”
The tropical influence of “Sunshine” is evident in the former. What could have been just another Volcano track becomes on this album a beautiful nu-disco number, endowed with a bright, organic production full of details. The lyrics, about a relationship on the verge of ending, provide the perfect contrast: “Don’t cry, we have it all, don’t worry / We can find the way through the darkness,” sings Kitto in the chorus. “Someday, Somewhere,” with its brilliant piano riff, is simply a hit that sounds like pure hope.
‘Sunshine’ sounds somewhat more organic and natural than its predecessors, but it is not superior to them in originality; rather, it stands out for the grandeur of its melodies. If you have always done exactly the same thing, yet you keep raising your own bar, are you really doing it wrong?
