Sunstack Jones - Golden Repair

​By Jon Milton

Music offers such a wonderful journey of discovery. Hearing a song that you like can make you want to find out more about the artist, and if you like what you hear they become part of your music. Those artists can lead you onto new paths if you choose to explore their contemporaries or their influences, and further broaden your palate. And when your paths converge in a new piece of music as they do on Golden Repair, the new album by Sunstack Jones, it really is a beautiful thing.

​Across Golden Repairs’ ten songs, perhaps the most obvious influence to emerge is of The Verve, not particularly surprising given that Simon Jones from the band is on production duties. The shimmering guitar that ran through the Verve’s first three albums features throughout, and songs like Nowhere Near An Ocean and Golden Repair could easily have found their way onto Urban Hymns or A Northern Soul. But elsewhere there are nods to the Stone Roses, and on the superb single How it all went down elements of the Byrds and the Bees, the Rolling Stones and Primal Scream. Seams and closing track Almost Hear the City recall Stephen Stills at his finest and his work with Crosby, Nash and Young. 

​Golden Repair is a pretty laid-back affair throughout, vocals mellifluously harmonising over elegant musical backing. The album sounds like a labour of love, put together by a band that know each other intimately and have enjoyed making it. An album to be played on balmy nights, winter nights, any night really and enjoyed with a glass of wine in your hand.