Sun Q is another new band for me. But, as you know, I love surprises at the beginning of a new year. And this band definitely fits that description very well. Elena Tiron, who sings vocals and backing vocals, and Ivan Shalimov, who plays guitars, keyboards, and bass; make up Sun Q. They are fantastic artists on their own, but for their Sun Q albums and projects, they enlist the assistance of their many colleagues and friends who are also musicians. Myth, is actually Sun Q’s sophomore album and it was released independently on November 3, 2023. Their first album is titled Charms, and it was released in 2017.
Sun Q assembled a diverse list of artists for Myth, including: Yaroslav Shevchenko, Timur Gumarov, and Andrey Pristavka, on drums and percussion; Andrey Travkin, on bass; Asya Sorshneva, on viola, violin, and nyckelharpa; Olga Kalinova, on cello; Andrey Tanzu, on percussion; Daniil Dubrovsky, on saxophone; Linar Asfatullin, on trombone; Evgeny Kondratyev, on trumpet; Roman Shilepin, on baritone saxophone; Tatiana Gaivoronskaya, Elmira Spichakova, Fotinya Fo, sang in the choir, and performed backing vocals; and Prosper Mamaeva aka ‘Princess Netashiva’, Benji ‘SlimBeats’ Kasule, Esther Barbara Schafer, Southern University Gospel Choir, performed in the choir.
The band explain the evolution of their sophomore album, Myth: “We recorded it in Russia, visiting different studios in search of rare Soviet synthesizers, vintage tape instruments, and anything that could enhance our sound. A diverse array of musicians contributed to the recording, enriching our songs with vibrant strings and brass sections, not to mention unique instruments from all over the world, like Swedish nyckelharpa and African percussion. We even got three different choirs from Russia, USA, and Uganda. The cover artwork was designed in Brazil”. They continue to explain how world events interfered with the process of completing the album: “However, as events unfolded, our original plans were disrupted, making it impossible to complete the album’s production in Russia. We had to finish the album in other countries. The album was mixed in England and mastered in the United States, while we oversaw the process from Turkey and Moldova”.
Finally, they describe the meaning or concept behind the idea of Myth: “In our music, you won’t find a specific agenda, but you will discover something even more profound. We firmly believe that this is the time when people need metaphysical experiences. Drawing inspiration from the creative legacy of the 1960s to the 1980s, we seem to have made something both original and contemporary. Myth is all about tapping into a power that exists beyond our five senses, bridging the gap between the subconscious and logic. We’ve tried to capture that essence through our music.”
Well, mission accomplished on that goal. “The essence of a power existing beyond our five senses” is witnessed early, and on the opening track, “Jane Doe”. It is over 5 minutes of some of the best, straight ahead rock n’ roll you have probably heard this year. It is the first great rocker, that I have heard since Siena Root’s Revelation album last year. Just pure rock n’ roll like it was meant to be. And from Russians. I remember when Russians screamed to have USA bands visit their shores. Well, the circle, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, is complete. Elena Tiron’s “Woohoos’, at the opening will take you back to some of the best female singers you can remember from the 1970s and 80s. I immediately heard Grammy winning blues/rock vocalist – Joan Osborne, and so I put on her famous song, “One of Us”; just to test my memory, and see if I picked the right person. Yes, I nailed it. Anyway, her voice is magic, just like Joan’s and I could listen to it all day long. Elena sings, “While the sun is rising, I put on a blue dress. Walk my dog around the morning emptiness. While the sun comes up, I drink milk from a glass. Dancing in the dust, shivering white dress”. This song is a rocker about mapping out her personality, and describing one that you might know of, or share. We all have different moods and feelings throughout the day, and she captures them in a song. She sings, “Woohoo, There are so many ways to be. Guess my personality. I have them all in me. Who am I in this reality?” In-between the woohoos, she changes dress colors to reflect her changes in mood and personality. Great song to open the album, full of horns, great electric lead guitar, bass, and excellent drums, supported by a soundscape that surrounds this music like a pastry, full of flavor.
“Children Singing”, is a completely different song all together. Sun Q opens this one, with cool synths and keyboards supporting, As Elena sings, “Do you hear, can you hear. Children singing, children singing. In the air, in the rain. Disappearing”. Then the electric guitars, bass and drums join in. Elena continues, “Somewhere high. Clouds are floating, clouds are swimming. Don’t you hide, don’t you cry. Voices ringing”. A powerful vocal statement full of great lyrics. The song was inspired by Joseph Brodsky, an American poet and essayist.
“Tree”, opens with slow, screaming, electric guitar. Elena sings, to a Led Zeppelin, bluesy rhythm and melody, “I am a tree. In my black branches. You cannot hear scream rushing. Only the birds circle around. Afraid to fall on me. Someone from the world of people. Is frozen up on the empty steep hill. In heavy thoughts looking upwards. Chanting under his breath”. Then, they start a growing stringed orchestra, ladder of sound, like the kind you hear in the song, “Kashmir”. Afterwards, the synths and piano take over. Later Elena sings, “Wish I’d go back in dusky woods. But I can’t leave my place. Can’t leave myself”. There is definitely a Led Zeppelin influence, to this one.
“Animals”, is another straight ahead rocker, with more of that excellent orchestra of strings support. Elena sings, “I had a horse. Black as the night. That lightly flew from hill to hill. Could see the road in mellow dim. And always played the rider’s will. Her lips were soft like a velvet kiss. Of darkness hidden her mane”. Later she sings about her cow and dog, and how much they meant to her. On this track, I hear a lot of Dolores O’Riordan, in Elena’s vocal delivery. She really is a talented singer, to be able to compare, in sound, to the people that I have mentioned so far.
“Dionysus”, has more of a funky beat and rhythm to it. Yes, it is a rocker, but it sounds so different than the other songs. The electric guitars are much heavier, and they add some cool Hammond – like organ sounds as well. Elena sings, “You feel the fragrance of the flowers. Ivy carpets on the ground. The vine climbs on the walls. Soon the flowers turn. Into heavy bunches. This is Dionysus marching. Inviting everyone to dance. Exciting crazy round dance. Weaving souls and bodies. With eternal of the world. Solemnize the joy”. Later she closes with these excellent lyrics, “The battle of returning god was endless. Echoing through skies. Coming on the grape leaves. Coming overnight” This song sounds like it would fit well, on some of Siena Root’s earlier albums. Similar style.
“I Am the Sun”, is a vocal deluxe song, and one of my favorite songs. This is a real showcase for Elena Tiron’s vocals. She sings, “I am the sun, the moon, the stars.
I am the power that controls the tide. I am the howl, a dance. Sweat and fire, heat and cold. I am a bliss and many tears. I am the pulse of the waitful world. Mother and daughter, shadow and light, trembling god”. With her most dynamic vocal she sings, “I am playing with my shade. I am calling ocean waves. I’m a destroyer, I am a seeker. I am the candle and stardust. Take me home!” An absolute dominant rocker declaring Elena’s ability to reach out for stardom.
“Still Searching for the Skulls”, opens with synths and keyboards as Elena sings, in a Jim Morrison-like, relaxed manner, “Forget we don’t have a home. A place to hide ourselves. And we don’t have a bed. To put exhausted bodies. Wake up, it’s time to run. The sun is almost shining. Take a dusty bag, my only one. The all we own – is nothing. Look up – the birds are free. Like two of us, believe me. The way is long, it has no end. We’re chasing wind and seasons”. Then, she drives home the point, “When you’re 17 – you want everything. When you’re 17 – you know everything. When you’re 17 – you cane everything. When you’re 17 – you are everything. Do you feel – do you feel the time? Do you know – do you know me well? Who was there howling in the past? Who is here searching for the skulls?” I think we all can remember and empathize with her, for when we were 17.
“Elizabeth Siddal”, opens with powerful guitars, bass and drums, like a blues song. Elena sings, “Elizabeth hides the fish in a dark and empty forest. Lungs are overwhelmed with bright flashes of light. Long hands buzzed about by cold and withered summer. Roots are sprouted armor of her beautiful prince. You are a child in the round dance of insane”. They use violins and strings well to build a strong soundscape, which they then penetrate with the blazing guitars, bass, and drums. Elena sings, “Oh please… do not say, do not say anything. An elephant with the blue gaze turns around the planet. When the rivers turn their waters backwards. Your dress turns out to be a white bird. Circles on the top erasing watchword”. This song was inspired by Pre-Raphaelites. It is a very 1970s, psychedelia song, for sure.
“Crystal Doors”, is the best, and longest song on the album. Of course they were smart enough to make it the closer. The grinding electric guitar, bass and those pulsating drums and electric keyboards, are simply perfect. Elena sings, “My soul is getting hot. My mind has slept a lot. My lungs could hardly breathe. Before it started in me. I watch my thoughts around. I hear them sound so loud. Inside I felt so weak. Before it started in me. So comes the darkest hour”. Powerful, drowning electric guitar and drums, pound out a rhythm as Elena sings the finale, “Please hide my precious books. And leave my room unlocked. These crystal doors were closed. When you’re not ready to start. So comes the darkest hour. Every time I hear that sound. Every time I feel no pain. Every time I see the lights out!” Then they unleash the metal guitars and buzz feed, along with the full power of the string orchestra, with horns. Let it all hang out baby! This song was inspired by Aldous Huxley.
Sun Q’s story is similar to another band that I reviewed, recently – VEiiLA. On Myth, they try to capture that feeling that none of us in safe comfort, can know or feel. When your homeland is out to destroy another, and you don’t support it in any way. You feel lost and abandoned. And it is absolutely hard to find your way out of it or feel good, until you can get back to a safe place and state of mind. You yearn for the feeling of security with the things and people around you. Recognizable planes of existence that do not shift so abruptly. That is what I think they are in search of and their songs reach out to us for help and empathy. They want us to not only understand, but care! They invite us in to take the dive with them and understand the emotional roller coaster that they are experiencing. My hope is that they are trying to communicate this so we will avoid the same fate.
The music is there to help dilute the agony and pain, and maybe reflect, and drive it away. This album also sounds like root rock. I find many similarities to early Siena Root from Sweden. If you like any of the bands or singers I have mentioned in this review, please take a listen to Myth, and discover your own myths and insecurities and try to use this music to help sustain and grow from the experiences revealed. As they declared their mission, “Myth is all about tapping into a power that exists beyond our five senses, bridging the gap between the subconscious and logic. We’ve tried to capture that essence through our music.” Mission Accomplished!
Track List:
- Jane Doe – 5:11
- Children Singing – 4:52
- Tree – 4:32
- Animals – 4:51
- Dionysus – 3:17
- I Am the Sun – 5:00
- Still Searching for the Skulls – 4:17
- Elizabeth Siddal – 4:51
- Crystal Doors – 6:24
Vasily Suryaninov and Sasha Seleznev, did the recording. Sean Genockey did the album mixing. Brian Lucey did the mastering. Vini Santos created the album artwork. The bonus track mixed and mastered by Ivan Shalimov. Music by Ivan Shalimov and Elena Tiron. Lyrics by Elena Tiron. Produced by Sun Q.
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://sunqband.bandcamp.com/album/myth
https://www.facebook.com/sunqband/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CzLPnG8rpk8/
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP48GayIVXlHpB-72bzBizQ