Sunshine

About

Thirteen years after making their debut, production duo Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland—aka Jungle—officially welcome Lydia Kitto into the fold for their fifth studio album <i>Sunshine</i>, marking their first release as a trio. Kitto, lead singer and key behind-the-scenes contributor to Jungle’s 2023 effort <i>Volcano</i> (which earned them a BRIT Award for British Group) is essential here too: the consistent vocal through line across 33 minutes of a shimmering, soul-inflected sound, while also picking up credits for production and songwriting. “We wanted it to feel hopeful without pretending life is perfect,” Lloyd-Watson tells Apple Music about the tropical-flavoured single <b>“Someday, Somewhere,”</b> adding that the album grew out of a desire to chase that same balance. From the vibrant, jazzy uplift of the title track to the breezy sensuality of <b>“Natural”</b> and <b>“Romeo II”</b>—which combines layers of soothing harmonies with a confident guest performance by US rapper Bas—the record presents “warmth and positivity” upfront, while hinting at the “emotional depth underneath,” says Kitto. Jungle’s success lies primarily in their ability to distill their influences into a cohesive package that conjures a mood or feeling; <i>Sunshine</i> doesn’t deviate from the formula, but it is still a radiant addition to the group’s discography.

via Apple Music

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