Since 2019, Children of the Sun has grown by leaps and bounds. Their live performances are electrifying and full of energy, soul, and fire from within that I love seeing from a band. In 2022, Children of the Sun began trickling singles from the forthcoming sophomore album Roots, which will be released on March 18th. I can say without a single doubt that this album will give every release this year a serious run for their money.
On Roots, their original 60s hippie mentality is still there in songs like “Gaslighting,” “Leaves,” and the haunting vocal/choir closing track “Epilogue.” This element of Children of the Sun first drew me in and made me a fan. That being said, Roots finds Children of the Sun shedding its skin and adopting a much darker, mature nature without altogether abandoning their “roots.”
Roots explores a heavier, darker influence from bands like Rival Sons and the Black Crowes both lyrically and musically. The opening track, “Reflection,” is a dark, moody song that sets the mood for the rest of the album. I love that they kicked things off with a song like this instead of coming out of the gates, guns blazing with volume.
Children of the Sun also explores the influence of 60s/70s folk influences like Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell with songs like “Eden,” “Willow Tree,” and “In Silva,” capping it off with edgier rockers like the title tracks, “Thunder.” However, my personal favorite is “Blood Boils Hot.” This song is a powerful, psychedelic, haunting tribute to our Mother Earth and even seems to dabble a bit into the world of psychedelics as a way to connect with the Earth. In this song, I feel that lead vocalist Josefina Berglund Ekholm truly shines and shows her dynamic, soulful, and powerful ability. She has a truly distinct voice that I think has solidified as one of the best of the genre.
Roots is a remarkable album by a band that continues to grow personally, musically, and lyrically. It is an album for the heart, the soul, and the mind. It’s a sonic psychedelic journey that explores the depths of humanity and dark yet optimistic observations of the world as if looking inward from the cosmos.
Some of the best albums I’ve ever heard are actually quite hard to put to words just how fantastic they are. Roots is one of those albums. While I struggled to put to words how much I love Roots, I could talk about how much it has moved me all day long. Roots is an album that everyone should have in their collection, and if you don’t, you’re just dumb.
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