Heron – Sun Release

Unapologetically itself

Pennsylvania-based rock band Heron has released their new record Sun Release. The album is the band’s sophomore release, full of dark, ambitious tonalities mixed with ear-ringing entertainment. The melodic arrangements and foundational drums leave one stunned, ear-basking in the delights of Heron’s established sound.

The first song “Light” opens with dreamy guitars played by Ben Blick and Boyd Lewis. Everything is finely reverbed against the soft percussion which then climbs in power and volume. “Void” has some crazed tremolo chords coming to life. Though the pace may feel slow, it adds to the trance of the song, which rises in volume about midway through.

The record is indeed quite different. However, there are moments in the album where you want to hear out the melodic ambiances before the crashing percussion joins them. In “Moon Data,” the watery feel to the first instruments waving back and forth is addictive, and most of the openings in every song deserve a chance to become their completed versions.

Nate Blick impresses with his drumming skills throughout the record, a real highlight. In “Shadow Phase,” the song catches some lovely guitar harmonies toward the end, and then “The Glow” leads into more beautiful melodic progressions that are dreamy and warm. As the record progresses, there’s no doubt Heron leaves their heart in the music. In “Gravity Shift,” you can hear the power in every cymbal Blick hits. It’s jarring to the ears, but it’s obnoxiously passionate. “Sun Release” is another song that rises in pitch and level both confidently and unapologetically.

The whole record sort of comes crashing down in the end, and you can only wonder what you were indeed supposed to feel the entire time. There are so many moods to be dissected within the listening experience, and Heron provides a full soundscape: the record is beautiful, loud and compassionate. Though some elements could have been more established in terms of pace and presence, Sun Release strangely gets you, but only if you listen freely.