Sun Araw Explores New Age Psychedelia in Rapid Response EP
Cameron Stallones blends experimental synth textures with classic psychedelic rock influences in his latest release.
1Ecstatic Creative Expression
Cameron Stallones, known as Sun Araw, displays intense enthusiasm on the opening track of his new EP, Rapid Response. Two minutes into the song Proper, he reacts to a synth chord with vocal exclamations. This moment captures his signature approach of blending long-form psychedelic rock with spontaneous, raw emotional outbursts.
2Near-Death Aesthetic Influence
The EP draws inspiration from a 1989 study by Plymouth University professor Joel D. Funk. The research suggested that new age music by artists like Iasos mirrors the auditory experiences reported by individuals during near-death events. Stallones channels this specific, ethereal sonic vein throughout the three tracks of this half-hour project.
3Genre-Defying Sonic Versatility
Stallones maintains a unique ability to manipulate diverse musical styles, from dark 1970s funk to ambient country. His 2017 album, The Saddle of the Increate, successfully anticipated the ambient-country trend. Rapid Response continues this trajectory, proving his capacity to reinvent established genres while maintaining a distinct, recognizable sensibility throughout his compositions.
4Unsettling Ambient Textures
The final track, Clear Tint Ether, spans twelve minutes of synth-heavy music that contrasts with the EP's earlier energy. It features unconventional percussive effects, specifically sounds resembling heavy boots walking on wooden floors. This jarring element adds a layer of discomfort, distancing the work from standard, relaxing new age music tropes.
5Historical Musical Connections
A guitar solo appearing late in the final track serves as a direct homage to Manuel Göttsching’s influential E2-E4 composition. This inclusion acts as a bridge between the bliss-out cultures of the 1970s and 1980s. It highlights Stallones' deep engagement with the history of experimental electronic and guitar-based psychedelic music traditions.
6Post-Noise Artistic Context
The EP reflects the legacy of late-2000s post-noise artists who embraced psychedelia without succumbing to the stigma surrounding new age music. Figures like M. Geddes Gengras and projects like Pocahaunted helped define this era. Stallones remains a key figure in this lineage, consistently producing work that feels raw and intellectually challenging.
7Indie Rock and Psychedelia
The author questions when modern indie rock last captured the raw intensity found in legendary 1970s albums like Dark Magus or Space Ritual. By wedding this aggressive, mind-twisting feeling to new age aesthetics, Stallones demonstrates why this specific fusion remains a potent and relevant approach for contemporary experimental music creators today.
8Enduring Artistic Relevance
Rapid Response serves as a reminder of the power inherent in blending disparate musical worlds. While the new age revival is currently considered somewhat stale by some critics, Stallones manages to keep the sound fresh. His ability to twist established styles ensures that his latest EP remains a compelling, albeit challenging, listen.
Original article: Pitchfork – Reviews — Sun Araw Explores New Age Psychedelia in Rapid Response EP