Sunlight
The four band members standing in front of a purple and yellow gradient, looking up to their right.
Studio album by
Spacey Jane
Released12 June 2020
RecordedJanuary–December 2019
Studio
Genre
Length41:50
LabelAWAL
ProducerDave Parkin
Spacey Jane chronology
In the Slight
(2018)		 Sunlight
(2020)		 Here Comes Everybody
(2022)
Singles from Sunlight
  1. "Good Grief"
    Released: 24 April 2019
  2. "Good for You"
    Released: 15 August 2019
  3. "Head Cold"
    Released: 12 November 2019
  4. "Skin"
    Released: 26 February 2020
  5. "Straightfaced"
    Released: 1 May 2020
  6. "Booster Seat"
    Released: 7 May 2021

Sunlight is the debut studio album by Australian indie rock band Spacey Jane, released on 12 June 2020 through AWAL. Recorded throughout all of 2019 and produced by Dave Parkin, it is the band's final release to include contributions from bassist Amelia Murray, who plays on the album alongside her successor Peppa Lane. Described by frontman Caleb Harper as an album "full of apologies",[1] Sunlight lyrically acts as a reflection on his mental health amidst relationship breakdowns, contrasting its affable melodies and jangling instrumentation.[2]

Supported by six singles and several national tours throughout 2019 to 2021, Sunlight contains the band's certified triple-platinum track "Booster Seat", which was considered a favourite to top the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2020. Debuting at number two on the ARIA Albums Chart, the record was voted number one in Triple J's Album Poll and was nominated for Independent Album of the Year and Best Independent Rock Album at the 2021 AIR Awards. For selling over 35,000 copies, Sunlight was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in 2022.

Background

In November 2018, Spacey Jane released their second extended play (EP), In the Slight. In July 2019, the group announced bassist Amelia Murray would be amicably leaving the band to pursue a career in medicine.[3] She was soon replaced by Peppa Lane from Margaret River, who had studied at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and performed on double bass in her group, the Friendly Folk.[4]

On 20 December 2019, Spacey Jane signed with English record label AWAL, following a "breakout year" for the band, having become the fifth most-played artist on Triple J Unearthed in 2019.[5]

Recording

Frontman Caleb Harper wrote most of Sunlight over 18 months beginning in mid-2018. In that time, he experienced the beginning and end of a relationship, which informed much of the record's lyricism.[6] Spacey Jane recorded the album from January to December 2019,[7] in around 10 studio sessions arranged around the band members' work and studies.[2][8] With this intermittent schedule, Harper said it was difficult trying to craft a thematically cohesive record.[6]

Out of the twelve tracks on Sunlight, five were co-written by Murray before her departure, and she performs bass guitar in five songs including "Booster Seat", which additionally features backing vocals from new member Lane.[9] Some songs were written while the band was in the studio, including the title track and "Trucks".[10] The latter features the first and only vocal take Harper recorded for the song, with a synth demo that guitarist Ashton Harman-Le Cornu created on his phone.[10] Sunlight was produced by Dave Parkin in Perth, who had worked with the band on their first two EPs, and mastered by William Bowden in Launceston, Tasmania.[11]

Composition

Described as an alternative[12] and indie rock album focused around jangling guitars,[2] the addition of synth lines and cooing backing vocals on Sunlight marked an expansion in the band's musical palette.[8] Harper was admittedly nervous about these textural changes, saying to NME the album has "no sound to it that is typical of us".[8] The band experimented particularly on "Weightless" which features a synth arpeggio and no distinctive riffs. Harper said the track was "a test to see how ready we are to expand beyond the indie based guitar music we’ve been making".[10] Drummer Kieran Lama explored alternative percussion options on "Skin", using congas for the first time in a Spacey Jane song.[10]

Most of Sunlight is written from Harper's perspective, regarding his relationships and mental health.[2]

While the album's instrumentation is often uptempo, with "Good for You" in particular containing "frantic guitar solos and rough-around-the-edges grit",[13] Harper's lyricism on Sunlight encompasses emotions of introspection,[14] anxiety and depression[10] due to relationship breakdowns with romantic partners and family.[14] "Booster Seat" in particular explores feelings of guilt and losing control,[13] and "Trucks" sees Harper at his "most wrenching and inconsolable".[12] Meanwhile, the "tight, sour-faced rock" production on "Love Me Like I Haven't Changed" features "wispy harmony vocals" and a sound reminiscent of the Strokes, according Ben Malkin of music publication Indie Is Not a Genre.[12] Reflecting on his bandmate's conversational tone, Lama said Harper's lyrics reminded him of pop-punk and emo writing styles, particularly that of Modern Baseball.[8]

Release and promotion

"Good Grief" was released as the album's lead single on 24 April 2019,[15] and was supported by a six-date Australian tour.[16] The second single, "Good for You", was released on 15 August.[17] It would later poll at number 80 in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2019, marking the band's first appearance in the annual countdown.[18] "Head Cold" was released on 12 November as the third single, and was supported by the national Head Cold Tour.[19] Sunlight was officially announced on 26 February 2020, along with the track list, cover art, release date, details of a third national tour, and the fourth single, "Skin".[20] On 1 May, "Straightfaced" was issued as the fifth single.[21]

Upon the album's release on 12 June 2020, the band held an online party with customers of the album via Zoom.[22] Sunlight peaked at number two on the ARIA Albums Chart and topped Triple J's annual Album Poll.[23] At the 2021 AIR Awards, Sunlight was nominated for Independent Album of the Year and Best Independent Rock Album.[24] In the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2020, album track "Booster Seat" polled at number two,[25] after several publications predicted it to top the countdown.[26][27] The song was subsequently sent to commercial radio as the sixth and final single on 7 May 2021.[28] The countdown additionally featured three other tracks from the album.[29] The band embarked on the national 29-date Sunlight Tour in March 2021, with support from Carla Geneve.[30] In June 2021, Spacey Jane released a limited edition, deluxe LP box set of Sunlight, featuring two previously-unreleased studio tracks, three live performances, and a cover of "Fill in the Blank" by Car Seat Headrest.[31]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Canberra Times[14]
Indie Is Not a Genre[12]
NME[13]
The West Australian[32]

Sunlight received "widespread acclaim" upon release.[33] Reviewing for Indie Is Not a Genre, Malkin called the album a "well-toned alt rock force, fit for radio but layered with emotional complexity".[12] Ali Shutler of NME agreed, writing that "as huge as Spacey Jane sound on Sunlight, it's never at the expense of their heartfelt honesty".[13] Reviewing for Triple J, Declan Byrne summarised the album as "one of the smoothest indie rock rides you’ll enjoy from an Aussie guitar band this year," praising its "breezy-sounding songs with emotional weight and heft".[2] Looking forward to their next endeavours, Josh Leeson for the Canberra Times said the band still has "plenty of room to mature in future releases to flesh out a more unique sound".[14]

Track listing

Standard edition

All tracks are written by Caleb Harper, Kieran Lama, Peppa Lane and Ashton Hardman-Le Cornu, unless otherwise noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Good for You"
  • Harper
  • Lama
  • Le Cornu
  • Amelia Murray
2:54
2."Head Cold"
  • Harper
  • Lama
  • Le Cornu
  • Murray
3:07
3."Skin" 3:14
4."Good Grief"
  • Harper
  • Lama
  • Le Cornu
  • Murray
3:48
5."Wasted on Me" 3:48
6."Booster Seat"
  • Harper
  • Lama
  • Le Cornu
  • Murray
4:28
7."Love Me Like I Haven't Changed" 3:58
8."Weightless" 4:11
9."Straightfaced"
  • Harper
  • Lama
  • Lane
  • Le Cornu
  • Murray
3:38
10."Trucks" 3:12
11."Hanging" 3:24
12."Sunlight" 2:08
Total length:41:50

Deluxe box set

Side three
No.TitleLength
1."Up Against It"3:17
2."Under My Breath"3:36
3."Skin" (Live on the Ocean)3:14
Side four
No.TitleLength
1."Good for You" (Live on the Ocean)2:54
2."Booster Seat" (Live at Fremantle Arts Centre)4:29
3."Fill in the Blank" (Car Seat Headrest cover)4:03
Total length:63:23

Personnel

Musicians

  • Caleb Harper – lead vocals, guitar (tracks 1–11), writing
  • Ashton Hardman-Le Cornu – lead guitar, synth (track 10), writing
  • Kieran Lama – drums, congas (track 3), writing
  • Peppa Lane – bass guitar (tracks 3, 5, 7–8, 10–12), backing vocals (tracks 6, 9), writing (tracks 3, 5, 7–8, 10–12)
  • Amelia Murray – bass guitar (tracks 1–2, 4, 6, 9), backing vocals (track 4), writing (tracks 1–2, 4, 6, 9)

Additional personnel

  • Dave Parkin – producer
  • William Bowden – mastering
  • Daniel Hildebrand – photography
  • Garreth Pearse – deluxe edition design
  • Matt Sav – cover photography

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for Sunlight
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[34] 2

Year-end charts

2020 year-end chart performance for Sunlight
Chart (2020) Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[35] 100
2021 year-end chart performance for Sunlight
Chart (2021) Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[36] 42
2022 year-end chart performance for Sunlight
Chart (2022) Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[37] 67

Certifications

List of certifications for Sunlight
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[38] Gold 35,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ Newstead, Al (26 February 2020). "Spacey Jane announce debut album with new single 'Skin'". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Spacey Jane's debut album makes sunny songs out of sad situations". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  3. ↑ Collins, Simon (4 July 2019). "New songs, new shows and no problems for Middle Kids". The West Australian. Seven West Media. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  4. ↑ Lefebvre, Nicky (20 February 2021). "Margaret River Local 'Stoked' as Music Career Takes Off". Augusta-Margaret River Mail. Archived from the original on 18 March 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  5. ↑ Wilson, Zanda (20 December 2019). "Spacey Jane ink global deal with AWAL". The Music Network. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  6. 1 2 "Album of the Week: Spacey Jane's 'Sunlight' Is Exactly What You Need Today". The Music. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  7. ↑ Spacey Jane's debut album makes sunny songs out of sad situations (Radio broadcast). Triple J. 11 June 2020. We started off recording it in, I think January of 2019, and sort of completed it around December the same year ... we would've done upwards of 10 sessions.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Martin, Josh (8 June 2020). "Spacey Jane are the Fremantle garage rock optimists letting the 'Sunlight' in". NME. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  9. ↑ Fiore, Briana (22 February 2023). "Former Spacey Jane bassist Amelia Murray on choosing medicine over music career". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Davies, Hayden (21 June 2020). "Album Walkthrough: Spacey Jane break down their debut album, Sunlight". Pilerats. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  11. ↑ Jenke, Tyler (12 June 2020). "Spacey Jane have unleashed their stunning debut album, 'Sunlight'". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Malkin, Ben (11 June 2020). "Spacey Jane - Sunlight Review". Indie Is Not a Genre. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Shutler, Ali (18 June 2020). "Spacey Jane – 'Sunlight' review: huge songs at no expense of heartfelt honesty". NME. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Leeson, Josh (10 June 2020). "Review: Spacey Jane - Sunlight". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  15. ↑ "Good Grief, by Spacey Jane". 24 April 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2022 – via Bandcamp.
  16. ↑ "Events: Spacey Jane (WA) - Single Launch w. Hoi Palloi + Franjapan". 3RRR. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  17. ↑ Flick, Cooper (29 August 2019). "Spacey Jane Is Good For You". Scenestr. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  18. ↑ Byrne, Declan (30 January 2020). "The secret life of Spacey Jane". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  19. ↑ "Spacey Jane's New Single Is Here & They're Heading Out On Tour Next Week To Show It Off". The Music. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  20. ↑ Langford, Jackson (25 February 2020). "Spacey Jane announce debut album, 'Sunlight', with new single, 'Skin'". NME. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  21. ↑ Rose, Anna (1 May 2020). "Spacey Jane share new single 'Straightfaced'". NME. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  22. ↑ Gallagher, Alex (12 June 2020). "Spacey Jane announce 'Sunlight' Zoom party". NME. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  23. ↑ Byrne, Declan (13 December 2020). "Spacey Jane tops the 2020 Triple J Album Poll". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  24. ↑ "2021 AIR Awards Winners". Scenestr. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  25. ↑ Newstead, Al (23 January 2021). "Spacey Jane 'Booster Seat': Behind the Hottest Australian song of 2020". Triple J. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  26. ↑ Davies, Hayden. "We're Calling It: Spacey Jane's 'Booster Seat' May Be the Hottest 100's Unexpected Champ". Pilerats. Archived from the original on 31 August 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  27. ↑ Leeson, Josh (22 January 2021). "From 'Heat Waves' to 'Booster Seats' to 'WAP', We Preview Triple J's Hottest 100 Contenders". Northern Beaches Review. Manly, NSW. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  28. ↑ "Booster Seat (Edit)". 7 May 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2023 – via Spotify.
  29. ↑ Gwee, Karen (23 January 2021). "Spacey Jane the highest-ranking Australian artist of Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2020". NME. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  30. ↑ Newstead, Al (2 February 2021). "Don't miss Spacey Jane on their 2021 'Sunlight' Australian tour". Triple J. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  31. ↑ "Spacey Jane – Sunlight (Deluxe Box Set)". Discogs. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  32. ↑ Collins, Simon (13 June 2020). "Review: WA band Spacey Jane's debut Sunlight named Triple J feature album as Simon Collins gives out-of-this-world review". The West Australian. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  33. ↑ Gallagher, Alex (9 August 2021). "Spacey Jane have finished recording their second album". NME. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  34. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Spacey Jane – Sunlight". Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  35. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2020". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  36. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2021". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  37. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Albums Chart for 2022". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  38. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
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