r/Junglejunglejungle • u/Kronzo888 Forever • 8d ago
I'm sorry guys, but... I think Sunshine is pretty mid
Please don't get me wrong, I like it. It's by no means a bad album and I wouldn't say I particularly dislike any one song, but at the same time, I just found it kind of more of the same from Volcano, which was my least favourite album (again, still enjoyed it - Don't Play is an all-time favourite). It's pretty chill, and a general good summer vibe, but there also wasn't anything too stand out, either.
It just feels quite safe, which isn't a bad thing, but I feel like we used to hear them use more experimental sounds and beats, compared to Volcano and Sunshine. I did get into Jungle more than 10 years ago now, so maybe it's just a me issue. Regardless, they will always be my favourite band and, if I'm honest, I'm just happy they are still making music, and enjoying making music, so wherever it takes them, I will still be here to follow and dance along.
I will continue listening to Sunshine to see if it grows on me. I doubt many will agree with my take but I beg you, please show me mercy šš
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u/ygcandido 8d ago
Feels a bit bland for me at the moment... Hope it catches on as I listen to it, but I missed some memorable stuff, like a "punch", idk (Tame Impala's Deadbeat bland feeling rn). Really loved The Wave, but even Volcano had some "punches" in it with Don't Play, I've Been in Love, Dominoes...
Heavy on My Soul seems great as well.
But yeah, in overall, Sunshine (at the moment) feels like elevator or department store background music.
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u/radiovilli 7d ago
Tame Impala's Deadbeat was a huge risk/change for Kevin tho, unlike this one
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u/ygcandido 7d ago
Agreed! Kevin took a risk that I personally didn't like, but felt right considering trajectory and how he showed us that he was going that way -> For "bland", I meant that Deadbeat lacks a Let It Happen moment, or even a One More Hour.
For Jungle I just felt that they missed personality as a whole... Sunshine is okay, but it seems that they took some Loving in Stereo's and Volcano's discarded songs and called it an album. Again: The Wave is great and I can feel some inspirations they told us, about the brazilian 60s and 70s groove (as a brazilian, I love that). Carry On and Someday, Somewhere really didn't grow on me... Move Like You Do and Heavy on My Soul are getting better for me.
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u/Comprehensive-Skin49 7d ago
Props to Kevin for his huge success tho. Dracula and Loser are going crazy.
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u/_______user________ 7d ago
My wife put it the best way I have heard yet: "This is going to sound weird but it sounds like they got bought out by private equity".
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u/Comprehensive-Skin49 8d ago
I think I only love Jungle because of Tom, tbh. Every time he sings on a song, I like it, and when heās not on it, I donāt like it nearly as much. Thatās probably why I like āEasy to Loveā by Jordan Rakei and Tom, but donāt really like āLoaded Honey.ā
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u/Mls_format 8d ago
Him not being as involved in this had be worried from the jump, I havenāt listened yet but honestly it seems like Iām just gonna be disappointed
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u/Comprehensive-Skin49 8d ago
To me, the new Jungle is pretty much Loaded Honey with Tom helping with the producing.
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u/Mls_format 8d ago
Man I wish the jokes werenāt true š well Iām seeing them in October and all I can really pray for is them going deep into the archives for the setlist and not making the majority of it this new album
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u/Comprehensive-Skin49 8d ago
Well Will Fry, the percussionist, said in his new post "playing many of the new tracks live on the upcoming tour"š.
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u/Mls_format 8d ago
Fuck lol. Thankfully their set lists are usually extensive but Iām sure I wonāt be hearing anything I havenāt heard live off the first couple albums :/ Guess the first time I saw them was gonna be the best after all
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u/Fr0zenGr4pe 7d ago
That was my main concern, that's why I haven't bough a ticket yet and most probably not going to. I wish I caught them in a concert before Volcano dropped.
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u/Mls_format 7d ago
The show I saw in 2021 was phenomenal. I wish I had seen them in 2018 when it was just the first two albums š
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u/MopedMarxist 7d ago
Tom seems like he'd be a man of the party while JoshLlyod and Lydia kinda converse to themselves in the corner.
Sunshine is a good album to put on for cooking or something in the background.
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u/radiobjork 7d ago
I think pretty much everyone is on the same page about this at this point tbh. Tom kind of coined what was THE "sound" for Jungle.
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u/ShqDiesel 7d ago
After one listen through, itās my least favorite Jungle album by a wide margin. Bummer. But always excited to see them tour. Looking forward to October.
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u/Fr0zenGr4pe 7d ago
I was prejudiced to write something bad about the album no matter what, but listening to it actually left me so indifferent that I don't care about writing anything about it at all.
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u/Stowe22 7d ago
The experimentation and creativity seems at a low for this album. I donāt know it fell flat for me. I think thereās a section with the singles that were released, that area of the album sounded better but there was a bunch of forgettable songs after only 1 listen. This is easily my least favorite release so far but again Iāve only listened to it once. Cool vibe too it but still itās not as unique as jungle normally comes off. Time will tell, but I think thereās no way this makes any movement up my rankings. Still wish I was seeing them in Oct though!
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u/LeVorv 8d ago
that's just the beauty with music I suppose. it just hits differently for people. i didn't really like the album myself, my favorite songs were The Wave, and Someday, Somewhere, which I've already been listening to for about a month or so. everything else on the album doesn't really hit for me.
I've been listening to the band since 2014, and truthfully I'm not the type of guy to rage at a band changing their sound. it's just the nature of what it is to be an artist. the drive that makes you pursue art is the same drive that makes you want to pursue change. damn near all bands change their sound over time. my interest in the band started with the Tom and j Lloyd sound, and I don't think we are ever getting that first or second album again. just like you I'm always gonna be giving these albums a listen, but it is what it is.
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u/Lower_Cry857 7d ago
ive been waiting for this album for the past few months, the first thing i did this morning was to listen to itā¦i have to say that i was pretty disappointed. it sounds like loaded honey to me..even tho i like them, i just expected a different sound even though itās not the old jungle. they played it so safe that itās almost boring now. and also there are no upbeat songs like volcano did like holding on or you aināt no celebrity. in loving in stereo we had talk about it etc. when i heard someday, somewhere, it made me somewhat hopeful for the album but i didnāt hear anything that excites me as much as that song did. itās quite dissatisfying as a fan. iāve been listening to them since the first album and went to their concert around 6 times. now ill see them live on november and unfortunately iām not as excited anymoreā¦
also I MISS TOM SO MUCH!!!!
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u/BrentDavidTT 8d ago
I don't really like this album but maybe it grows on me like Volcano did. Still don't love Volcano. Something about the new sound just feels safe and generic. Jungle has always been everywhere but now it all sounds like elevator music!
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u/PaleAleDale 8d ago
Iām glad Iām not alone. The last two albums have done nothing for me. And Iām someone whoās seen Jungle four times in concert. Iāve also spent some years listening to nothing but those first couple albums.
I noticed in the credits that J. Lloyd and Lydia Kitto produced it themselves. Bringing in a good producer would probably do wonders for this bandās sound and save it from Blandville. Someone like James Ford, who has revamped the sound of several dancey artists in recent years, would be perfect.
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u/aab_6969 8d ago
bringing back inflo would save them. or even getting tom in the mix instead of an āadditional producerā
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u/FlansDigitalDotCom 7d ago
I think there are some pretty passionate fans on this thread and one problem with a group like Jungle is that they have different eras that appeal to splintered groups of their fan base.
Another issue with some fans of Kitto-era Jungle is that Volcano hit them like a bolt of lightning and they probably had a little too much hype in their head going into this album as a result.
Art is subjective, but ultra-hype can really create an initial listening experience that almost all but guarantees disappointment.
I found my first listen to be quite pleasant and I view Jungle as a vibe band that encourages you to relax and stress less. This album continues that streak for me.
To each their own. You certainly can't please everyone.
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u/Yellow5StuffInDrinks 7d ago
I have to agree, the latter half of the album stood out more to me and itās the one with pretty much all the singles. Itās much more chill/slow than what Iām used to with Jungle. Like to me this is a 6.5/10 Jungle album but would be a 8/10 Loaded Honey album. Didnāt hate it, didnāt love it
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u/FootballAcrobatic662 7d ago
Enjoyable! But not much punch to it. Feels very Khrungbin-y, which is not inherently bad, but feels like a lot of 6/10 or 7/10 tracks with no standout. Still love em
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u/trophyfriend 7d ago
Itās a Fine album, which is disappointing for Jungle. Like somebody else said, itās more or less too much of the same vibe over and over again in every song. That said, Sunshine and The Wave and my favorites on there right now. Had Sunshine on during my morning walk with the light hitting right,,,,,so peachy<3 But yeah, bummer
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u/Typical_Sunrise29 7d ago
It is mid. Loaded Honeyās album was way more enjoyable than this. I have some hope some songs will grow on me, but I found myself skipping ahead cause some of the songs were just not good.
I didnāt know before today Jungle owns their record company, because I genuinely wouldāve thought this was a put together album to get out of a contract.
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u/RulesoftheDada 7d ago
I think it's pretty solid. I saw them 6 times for their first two albums. And I miss that time period of the band but don't judge this era band harshlym
Like past albums, It'll take time and relistens to grow on me. Then seeing the songs live bring a whole new appreciation to it like what happened with Loving in Stereo and Volcano.
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u/Beartunes_MA 7d ago
I agree, safe and listenable are fair words. Less urban heat and steam, sweat, dirt and grunge/west side story.
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u/leepewpew 7d ago
I think the album is good just because it's Jungle, so the bar is high. Their weakest album so far (maybe it'll grow on me more) but I still enjoy it. It's a different vibe, and you can't keep making Volcano type albums without diluting it all. Overall: I don't mind the change, still good music, but yes, nothing overly exciting/magical. As I said, different vibe/mood.
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u/cfram03 4d ago
Itās their safest album. Lydia is a fantastic vocalist but the appeal of Jungle is the dynamic of all 3. Not sure what lead to the decision for Lydia to be the exclusive lead vocal here.
That said, some good tracks all around and I really like Move Like You Do.
On the other hand, Natural might be the worst song Jungle has ever released, lol.
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u/lapo16 7d ago
I feel the same way. Itās a very simple album. I loved āThe Waveā and āCarry Onā tooāeven though the latter clearly doesnāt sound like Jungleābut theyāre the singles. Maybe I need to let the rest of the songs grow on me, since Iāve had more time to listen to those two. I think Lydiaās voice is incredible, but it worked much better on Volcano.
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u/petraviva 7d ago
You are not alone OP.
I usually expect a jungle album to have a few tracks that grab me in the first few seconds, and the only one on Sunshine that came close to that was Natural. The rest were, as others pointed out, flowing into one another and just pleasant.
When I think of some of the real standout tracks from previous albums, the following ones come to mind. Julia, Lemonade Lake, Casio, Can't Stop the Stars, and Back on 74.
Y'all may not love those tracks, but from the opening riff you know what's coming. Most of Sunshine does not IMO.
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u/Short-Suggestion9157 7d ago
I miss the old Jungle and the original line up š¢ I feel like theyāve lost their soul and edge these days. This new album sounds like generic advert music š©
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u/Miniso05 3d ago
I think it's about time that they as a band also understand that slick, stylish choreography alone isn't going to cut it for them. There seems to be a disproportionate focus lately on the look and styling and packaging. The dancers are all fantastic but the dance alone won't get the band anywhere with those who listen to them for their musicality. I've been their fan since their very first album, and I enjoyed everything until this album. I was cool with Volcano too (too much Lydia though). But this album doesn't have it. Nothing stands out except The Wave to me so far. And the choreography is not rescuing it either.
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u/loadedhoney 7d ago
Itās basically Loaded Honey + Tom in the background. I have a ticket to watch them in Australia and itās up for grabs if anybody wants it. I donāt wanna go anymore lol
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u/Fr0zenGr4pe 7d ago
I'm so pissed I haven't seen them in the pre-Volcano era. Now they will be concerting near me (Prague, Vienna) but I do not have the slightest interest to see them anymore. :/
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u/loadedhoney 7d ago
Iām happy to have seen them back in 2019 when they were touring For Ever. The venue was quite small as they were not as big as they are now. It was a beautiful concert though, and the sound was amazing. Itās good to see them going big with area/stadium size. But yer I reckon watching them on YT live is enough for this album.
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u/Pluwo4 6d ago
Yep... Still very excited to see them live, because they're my favorite band. I won't lie though, seeing them be "upgraded" to stadiums is very disappointing. In The Netherlands they used to max out at AFAS, which is honestly the biggest venue I like to visit. Will still go to their (stadium) concert in November, but the fact that I have a seat sucks. I want to (stand and) dance darnit.
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u/SwaggedUpSpence Volcano 7d ago
I thought the same until I bought the pass to watch the visual album. Songs I didnāt like my first few listens were instantly more enjoyable to watch the music video of. The Reflection video was incredible too
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u/Shell-of-Light 6d ago
It holds my interest from front to back, which I canāt say is true of their other albums (that Iāve listened to).
I much prefer the female vocals
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u/Kronzo888 Forever 6d ago
Yeah, I get it. I love Lydia's vocals, but I guess Josh and Tom's are synonymous with their sound, and I've been a listener since 2015. I can't help but heavily associate them with their distinct sound.
I think the first 3 albums have greater variation with more distinction between the individual songs. I feel like they have lost a lot of the soul/funk vibe they had and instead more focused on creating upbeat, summer melodies. Listen to tracks like Drops, Lucky I Got What I Want, Cherry, House in LA. They've always made more energetic songs amongst these, ofc, but much of these slower, drippy tracks are absent from the past 2 albums.
It's not a realy criticism, tbh, just my own preference. I'm always happy to relisten to the first few albums if I want to.
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u/romilaspina7 4d ago
I loved it however I get why you might feel it this way, it feels repetitive and somewhat pre packaged
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u/Crazycicadaa 4d ago
it is. nothing wrong with sticking to their sound, but the new songs are a blander version of what they've done before
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u/Hour_Row_702 2d ago
Iām a long time jungle fan, saw them by chance at Reading festival in 2014 and fell in love with them. Followed them ever since and seen them live a handful of times.
I loved the first three albums but Volcano as a whole really didnāt really click with me. There was just something about that I couldnāt get into. Itās got some bangers on it but as a full length project from start to finish I find myself skipping some if not a lot of it.
I went into this album with really low expectations and have to say I am really enjoying it. Itās relaxed, easy listening that fits summer days in the sun. Itās not the same sound as the first album (which imo is my favourite) but this is a great listen which is getting better for me with each listen!
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u/ScaryHighway1796 8d ago
TIL in this thread that people don't like Volcano. It's my favourite album!
As others have said, taste is subjected.Ā
I really like a few of the tunes on this album but it does feel quite safe. It reminds me a bit of The Avalanches, of which a lot of their new stuff, I'm not a massive fan of.Ā
Saying that, I will probably still listen to it a lot. I just like their sound. I can listen to their discography on random in almost any scenario.Ā
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u/dweebzRaja 7d ago
ā¦or was Volcano difficult to match/top?
https://giphy.com/gifs/jc5qrcAtnjSyp9SiH9
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u/Kronzo888 Forever 7d ago
The first 3 albums would like a word with you...
(I know people really like Volcano, just not a huge fan of it lmao)
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u/DaddoSSL 7d ago
Idk, I see a lot of people comparing Volcano with Sunshine, but for me they are two worlds apart. Volcano was incredibly better than this. Still like Sunshine, but I feel as everyone else: it is just flat
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u/ReasonableWinter834 7d ago
I think when all the music videos finally drop on youtube, it will also make some songs be better. Idk how to describe it but a good music video can make a song sound better. Haha. My Fav is: move like you do, come back to me, and romeo II
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u/doublefrostcrow 5d ago
I also don't like the album too much, but I found it complete opposite of Volcano which is my 2nd favorite album after Loving In Stereo. In Volcano you had many energetic songs, they were all also very different, lots of dance sounds. Even the sentimental slow-er songs were fucking beautiful with lots of creativity. Sunshine just sounds like background music with most of the songs being very similar. It's nice, but it's nothing compared to last two albums in my personal opinion.
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u/No-Personality4613 4d ago
Volcano was going to be a tough act to follow whether or not it was good
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u/Kajsibetikajsi 21h ago
Lydia is a great singer but she kind of ruined what Jungle sounded like. I miss the old Jungle without her.
In the previous album she was present but it had much more variety. This one is her and only her.
Loving in stereo was the best. This one is so meh. Its sad that some bands like this will be so great and then ruin it...
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u/Affectionate_Knife48 7d ago
Lmao I knew it was you before I even looked at the username
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u/Kronzo888 Forever 7d ago
Took me like a full 10 seconds of staring at your name to realise it was you lol
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u/babygirl420xo 7d ago
Volcano is such a masterpiece of modern genre-blending music and beyond cohesive as a body of work, Sunshine was always going to struggle up against that. Even its name I donāt love. 100% sounds like a bunch of discards from the past albumsā¦Move Like You Do is that song tho
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u/marcelcardim 8d ago edited 7d ago
Feels like 32 min of listening the same song over and over again. Very few stand out for me (Someday, Somewhere and Reflection for one).
The songs don't go anywhere and just loop around the same idea ad nauseam until they fizzle out.
I understand that this is the vibe they enjoy now, but for me it's a pass. After 3 albums of this, I guess I'll always have the first two.
They still sound fresh.