Simon RushworthAt The Sun – Leave Before The Light (Self Released)
Modern rock. With attitude. In a nutshell. At The Sun deliver a strident statement with the relentless Leave Before The Light – think a bulked-up Little Angels fused with Black Stone Cherry covered by Stone Broken. The classy quintet clearly belongs in 2019 and yet there’s plenty to admire in their mix of 70s-styled rhythm and 80s-influenced swagger.
A concentration of killer choruses and ripe riffs make for an instantly accessible record founded on remarkable consistency. Perhaps it’s the fact that Leave Before The Light has been carefully honed during a year-long period – or maybe it’s because this blistering debut is simply timed to perfection – but At The Sun appear to have distilled everything that’s so compelling about the upsurge in homegrown rock and roll talent and squeezed it into one sensational set.
Walk On Over boasts the wow factor while Only A Fool could ignore the power and ambition underpinning this record’s memorable opening salvo. Identifying the weak link is the toughest task here although Raise Your Glass – the 12thand final song – doesn’t quite match the quality that’s gone before. But it’s a minor criticism and don’t bet against a future anthem for the masses finding its place in At The Sun’s encore for years to come.
In essence, At The Sun are a shining example of emboldened ambition and Leave Before The Light demands to be heard. Harry Dale’s vocals never disappoint and if this uplifting debut deserves recognition in its own right then it doubles up as a tantalising glimpse into the future. At this rate At The Sun will be eclipsing the competition very, very soon.