A groovy heartbreak journey

A three-member band producing dreamy indie and pop-rock music, Anna Sun recently released their debut EP, Extended Play. The group consists of lead vocalist and frontwoman Samantha Aneson, bassist Andrew Shewaga and drummer Nikola Balac. Their album takes the listener on a journey through love, heartbreak and loss while establishing their signature groovy bass riffs, strong vocals and rhythmic guitar. 

“For Better” beings with an ’80s influenced groovy guitar line. The vocals then join in and sing about a sour breakup. Aneson’s voice is deep and full, and she allows her bitter emotions to shine through her tone. The steady bass and groovy guitar keep the song full of energy, even though the lyrics are somewhat sad. The song ends with a long outro of vocals and simplistic accompaniment once again featuring Aneson’s voice. 

The next track, “What a Shame,” is a somewhat angsty breakup song. The gritty electric guitar sets the sour, angry tone for the song, and the lyrics continue on this trend with lines like “I don’t feel anything, and nothing is real.” These dark sentiments are shortly followed by a rhythmic chorus where the drums and guitar keep the song upbeat, yet the lyrics remain angry. 

Track four, “Mr. Midnight,” pushes the album forward with some groovy rhythmic guitar and prominent bass lines. This song is less angsty and more relaxed due to the combination of the calmer lyrics and absence of drums, until a minute and 30 seconds in where it picks up again. This song radiates confidence, as Aneson sings of asking someone to come home with her. Under the vocals, the drums and guitar drive along for the rest of the song. Despite this track being less angry and breakup-focused, they maintain their sound with electric guitar grooves and driving bass and drums. 

The fifth track, “One Room Away,” starts with an echoey guitar riff and calm drums. In it, Aneson sings about recovering after a breakup. With the laid-back accompaniment in this song, her vocals can shine through as the listeners hear her distinct tone and layered harmonies. This is the most relaxed song on the album, but they maintain their sound with her signature vocals and the guitar riffs that carry the accompaniment. 

The final track of the album, “Weak,” brings back the upbeat rhythmic guitar grooves and bouncing basslines to end the album how it began. This song has the most uplifting lyrics: describing the feelings of falling back in love. Viewing this track against the others emphasizes the album’s thematic material, exploring the complex journey of love, loss and reconnection.

On Anna Sun’s newest album, Extended Play, they create a full narrative and explore the emotions that follow each stage of love through their tasteful accompaniment and groovy guitar riffs, angry drums, bouncy basslines and emotion-packed lyrics. The listener is taken on a personal journey through the complex variety of emotions experienced with love.