Jonquil – One Hundred Suns
Posted by RC Crowther
UKs Jonquil has released the EP, One Hundred Suns, which could prompt anyone to claim “best unsigned band.” This could help explain their recent blog post quoting lead singer Hugo Manuel saying “As of this weekend, I’m feeling pretty f*cking festive.” Jonquil contributes well to UKs emerging math-rock revolution and to no surprise share kinship with Foals, another Oxford band whom they’ve opened for and recorded with.
The 7-track EP is full of gems, including bonus track, “Lions,” a track off their last LP. The first single off the EP, “Get Up,” is a stellar spread that captures an English blend of folk/pop that beats the average cup of tea. One can’t help but hear a little bit of Foals in their sound, with a hint of Surfer Blood (among other influences). To juxtapose Jonquil’s One Hundred Suns is an easy way out of illuminating the true easy listening qualities.
Finding a favorite will be tough with the earnest yet warm vocals of Hugo Manuel on “I Know I Don’t Know,” or the perfected pop song “Sunday Night” which could easily be on repeat for a week. The “Sunday Night” vocals stand as the highlight of the collection. Midway, Jonquil show a weakness on “Compound” where Manuel’s falsetto abruptly pierces a background of light harmonies that drag. It’s a sad take on a Veckatimest sound that should have been left to the bear itself.
One Hundred Sunsbares complexities not seen on Jonquil’s prior LP, Lions, although it fosters much of the same ambiance while shedding some darkness. Then, there’s “It Never Rains,” which boasts folktronic elements with a lick of punk like a Vampire Weekend “A Punk,” sounding more grad school than junior high.
Jonquil manages to wallow around in the same style yet captures various sounds at the same time. It would be tough to ignore the charm on this record, as One Hundred Suns is easy to relate to and adore. It’s an EP that integrates winter and summer moods and carries a unique set of intricacies that set it apart from the wide array of household names one might think of when listening. If One Hundred Suns is any representation of Jonquil’s future records then consider this the first glimpse of daylight.
Here is a sample track:
