REVIEW: "May Sun" by Febueder
Febueder
Beauty And Optimism For The Future.
Febueder's new single "May Sun" shines as the duo brilliantly combines their poppy lyrics and avant-garde instrumentation to create an optimistic track about the post-pandemic world.
The song, which has drawn praise from both critics and fans alike, tells a tale of healing in a world that has been ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic. Samuel Keysell, who makes his debut as lead singer on the track, says, "Like the May sun signaling an approaching summer, brighter things are ahead." Keysell, who also plays percussion and a myriad of other instruments, makes up one-half of the English band, alongside his partner Kieran Godfrey. The two musicians say that Febueder isn't just a vehicle to make music, but rather a "palette from which they present their emotionally deft songwriting and progressive approach to rhythm and melody."
Upon first listening to "May Sun", it put me in a sort of trance. The perky percussion, baroque pop rhythms of the keyboard, and enchanting lyrics on this track combine to perform hypnosis on the ear and put the body at ease. It felt like I was transported to the Swedish festival in Midsommar, sprawled out in the Summer grass.
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"The track is about stopping the act of taking on people's pains and worries and making them your own," writes Keysell, who continues, saying that "May Sun" is "a reminder to recognize beauty and optimism for the future."
This song reminded me of Fleet Foxes latest album, 'Shore', which came out at the end of 2020 and, like "May Sun," foretold renewal in the new seasons ahead. Although, I believe "May Sun" takes this idea a step further and allows the listener to be overcome with a sense of hope and faith in our collective future.
Febueder has had a pretty busy year and a half even within the circumstances of the pandemic, since they managed to release a 2020 album titled 'Tomalin Has Etched In,' and another single entitled "Nea Kameni" before this first release of 2021, "May Sun."
That being said, "May Sun" is a definite departure for the band, who normally utilize more melancholy and even somber sounds in their music. This track strikes an entirely different tone than the dark "When You Speak to Mingus," which was another one of the band's 2020 tracks. In contrast to that song and the rest of their 2020 album, "May Sun" is exceptionally bright.
"We decided very close to finishing the single that it's better to remain cheerful as merriment is an uncommon evocation in our music," said Kieran Godfrey, "it's exciting to continually uplift without forcing it."
Before listening to this track, I suggest you find the sunniest spot in your yard, local park, or even inside your own house and layout before pressing play. Or, better yet, check out the band's stop motion music video, which goes along with this track, and was directed by Samuel Keysell as well.
"May Sun" is indeed a joyous song and an excellent addition to Febueder's archive of avant-garde pop music that will surely serve as a mainstay on my playlists all Summer long.
Written by Patrick Breen
Photo by Max Lepage Keefe