The cosmic creation of Glenn Smyth and Sebastian Maynard Francis, âSolar Eyesâ finds the duo delivering a suite of technicoloured tunes that stretch across acid-dipped sonic landscapes and blissed-out melodies.
Recalling trippy trailblazers from Primal Scream to the Chemical Brothers, Spacemen 3 to Spector-ish productions; these 12 psych-dappled songs will stimulate the senses and envelop you in their pop-preened charms. Listen to it in full now: https://orcd.co/solareyes
Placing the spotlight on one of its prize excerpts, the band have released a brand new video for featured highlight â(At Least) Paranoia Loves Youâ. A track that finds the Birmingham duo washing down bitter pills with psychedelic-soused tonics, Glenn explains:
ââ(At Least) Paranoia Loves Youâ is a song about someone from my past â who I didnât particularly like. But had to endure for YEARS. But I donât hold grudges haha. A bit of a punk feel too.â
Placing Glennâs sneering vocal amidst a maelstrom of Krautrock beats, âMary Chain fuzz, and Kasabian-esque fire, the epic â(At Least) Paranoia Loves Youâ can soon be found at the epicentre of Solar Eyesâ imminent s/t debut album. The new track will sit on âSolar Eyesâ alongside the previously released singles âLetâs Run Awayâ and âTop of the Worldâ.
â(At Least) Paranoia Loves Youâ arrives hand-in-hand with a brand new official video, which brings vivid new energy to sepia-tinted footage from yesteryear. The new video was created by the Solar Eyes bassist Emily Doyle, who also created the video for previous single âLetâs Run Awayâ).Â
Elsewhere on the record, the duo reach into topics as far-flung as metaphorical prisons, to unsavoury past acquaintances, the thrill of new-found love, to famous last words; highlights include âDeep Tripâ, âDreaming of the Moonâ, and âAcid Test (The Walls are Closing In On Me)â. Produced by Tom Ford alongside Solar Eyes, the album was mastered by Streaky, with additional mixing and mastering by Jeff Knowler. Released on 16th February 2024.
Solar Eyes is the project of Birmingham duo Glenn Smyth and Sebastian Maynard Francis. Formed in 2021, the band have since drawn crowds at tastemaker events like SXSW and The Great Escape and released a slew of warmly received singles and three EP releases âDreaming Of The Moonâ, âAlcatrazâ and âNaked Monkey On A Spaceshipâ. Earning praise from the likes of Steve Lamacq (BBC6 Music) and John Kennedy (Radio X) at radio, plus support from The Observer, Q Magazine, God Is In The TV, Â Louder Than War and more at press, the band have also seen their music featured on renowned TV programmes including Match of the Day and Football Focus. Releasing their s/t debut album via the Fierce Panda label in 2024, Solar Eyes will also launched the record with a hometown launch show at Birminghamâs Hare & Hounds on 16th February.