Sun Atoms “Take This Love”

In a whirlwind of sonic serendipity, Portland psychedelic gaze-wave outfit Sun Atoms present their new 2-track single ‘Take This Love’ with B-side ‘And The Lion Saw The UFO’, released via Little Cloud Records digitally and on 7-inch vinyl. These songs offer a sonic odyssey to a realm of pure musical enchantment. The fun continues in the clever sci-fi video, created by Bradley Tuazon at Oregon’s world-famous Airplane Home.

Sun Atoms is made up of bassist Peter G. Holmström (The Dandy Warhols, Pete International Airport), vocalist Jsun Atoms (The Upsidedown, Daydream Machine), multi-instrumentalist** June Kang, Mars de Ponte (LoveBomb Go-Go), L.A. drummer Eric Rubalcava and Boise native Derek Spencer Longoria-Gomez **(Hi Hazel).

Mixed by iconic producer Jagz Kooner** (Massive Attack, Primal Scream, Oasis, Garbage)** and mastered by Keith Tenniswood (Spiritualized, Death In Vegas), ‘Take This Love’ sees Jsun Atoms delving into introspective realms, while pondering the “hieroglyphs in bright lights” illuminated by the desert stars. Its lyrical crowning blow lies in the line “take this love and shove it up your heart”.

Venturing into strange new sonic frontiers, the B-side ‘And The Lion Saw The UFO’ emerges as a sci-fi cautionary tale, resonating with experimental Krautrock beats and psychedelic textures. Initially recorded with Eric Crespo of experimental psych outfit Abronia, and featuring the illustrious Gregg Williams (Sheryl Crow, The Dandy Warhols) on hand drums, this auditory odyssey delves into dreamlike reverie, blurring the line between reality and imagination.

“I was writing the lyrics for “Lion” at an entirely off the grid location in Kipahulu about 30 miles past Hana on Maui. My wife Maria and I hadn’t seen other humans in 4 days and we were watching a mongoose run through the garden and talking about “After The Goldrush” and how Neil Young dreams of silver spaceships that were “flying Mother Nature’s silver seed into the sun” and it led us down a whole wormhole of ideas and journaling about non-human experiences and that animals all over the planet may be having close encounters as we speak,” explains Jsun Adams.

“In our escape from civilization for this extended period, looking at the stars, the relief and peace was the absence of the bombardment of a world constantly hurling “too much information” at us. When Pete sent the song off to Jagz  for mixing, there were about 6 more verses on the subject. Thankfully, for the sake of the song, Jagz removed these details and kept the verses and choruses that were really working.”

As for the A-side, ‘Take This Love’ came to life in the wee hours of the morning following a transformative show in the enigmatic locale of Pioneertown. Once at Joshua Tree Recording Studios, the band found themselves ensconced in a creative fervor at 3am, recorded by Tommy Dietrick (The Brian Jonestown Massacre, David J, Mark Gardener, Smallstone, Sky Parade). 
.
Meticulously crafted and imbued with cosmic energy, Sun Atoms’ music captivates the senses, operating beyond the boundaries of sound and space. A genre-defying fusion of psychedelic rock, indie pop and post-punk, Sun Atoms push the boundaries of their own sonic exploration, inviting listeners on a musical escapade that defies categorization.

Earlier this year, Sun Atoms released 7-inch single on vinyl –  the new wave-inspired ‘Ceiling Tiles’ and a charismatic fuzzed-out Leonard Cohen tribute ‘Tower of Song (in the key of JAMC)’. They also played a series of sold-out concerts with Dinosaur Jr. and shows with Federale, The Veldt and TREMOURS, in addition to playing Seagaze Festival and Treefort Festival.

The band debuted in 2021 with the album ‘Let There Be Light’, produced by Peter G. Holmström and mixed by iconic producer **Stephen Street **(Blur, The Smiths, The Cranberries), involving contributions by The Black Angels’ Alex Maas, The Vandelles’ Jasno Swarez and Gregg Williams (Sheryl Crow, Blitzen Trapper). Since then, Sun Atoms has played shows with Modest Mouse, Fishbone, Besnard Lakes, The Veldt and New Candys, and has shared the stage with Ty Segall, A Place To Bury Strangers, Neko Case, Built To Spill. Allah Las, Broncho and Night Beats.

As of July 26, ‘Take This Love’ will be available on 7-inch vinyl and digitally from fine platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. The ‘Ceiling Tiles’ single can also be had on beautiful 7-inch vinyl    Sun Atoms’ sophomore album is anticipated for release in autumn.

-Official bio