Here at the Send Me Your Ears studio today, we’ve been listening to the latest single from Russia’s Sun Q. Their single, Children Singing, was released on July 21, and we’re just blown away by it here at the studio.
Children Singing is inspired by the mystical lyrics of Joseph Brodsky. He once said, “Poetry is the translation of metaphysical truths into earthly language.”
Children Singing starts with haunting long keys notes that produce a dark and ominous feel, almost depicting the feeling of wakefulness after a nightmare. When the lead vocal comes in it is hauntingly evocative. We were reminded of All About Eve’s great ballad, She Moves Through The Fair, and one could easily draw comparisons to Simple Minds, Belfast Child here too. It is slow and passionate and the vocals are astounding. Lead vocals reminding us a little of Delores O’Riordan, we absolutely loved the use of bends in the voice here, and the background wails a little later in the song display a spectacular use of head voice and control.
When guitars come in, they are panned and interesting, using a repeated riff to draw the listener in until slowly the bass and drum join the mix. Everything in moderation here, and the song gives each member of the band plenty of room to really shine.
We love the progressive nature of this track: messing with time signatures and unexpected chord patterns, this is a song to really let wash over you. We love the Journey-style use of keys (think Separate Ways) and the Floyd-like nature of the distant instrumental section with vocals wailing ear-defyingly high well-controlled notes.
After some explosive moments in the middle of the song, the listener is returned to the simple vocal and long-held keys notes to end the song, bringing the listener full circle and leaving you emotional and raw.
Ideas from our ears
A boost around 50Hz would bring out a touch of extra ‘thump’ from the kick drum. A cut around 195Hz in the top snare mic would control a slight peak, allowing space for the snare wires to be heard a little more. A small fader boost on the bottom snare mic would help too. A wider boost centred around 6kHz would increase the presence overall and bring out the brighter sounds from the drum track and synths. As always, these are just some ideas from our ears.
Final Thoughts
Sun Q’s, Children Singing, has been easily one of our favourite tracks this week. A haunting and thoroughly immersive track that gripped us from start to finish. We’re off to listen again and seek out more of their music and we urge you to do the same.
https://sunqband.ru/
https://www.facebook.com/sunqband
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2YcXDwuCG3aksg0jS5WBRs?si=es-5PF0kQtO_gDisfF8Wzw
https://sunqband.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP48GayIVXlHpB-72bzBizQ
https://instagram.com/sunqband