album review
Sonny Falls
All That Has Come Apart/Once Did Not Exist
Plastic Miracles
December 15th, 2020
After months of releasing staggered sets of singles, Sonny Falls finally gives us the cherry-on-top by releasing the full, double-LP All That Has Come Apart/Once Did Not Exist. This album showcases the mature efforts of songwriter Ryan “Hoagie Wesley” Ensly, with lyrics clever and light-hearted, to the score of well composed garage-indie flourished with horns, violins, and tambourines.
“Pleasure Center Century” is an early hit of the project- a hooky, sunny, yet neurotic rock and roll anthem about coping with mental health; “Melatonin melody / clinched inside your dna / pleasure center century / Softly say a prayer / wonder if it's going anywhere / is it endless energy / I guess that we’ll just wait and see.”
Another standout (and my personal favorite) is “Roses Rotting In Your Glass,” an ear-candy garage pop tune served with an honest depth, like a sunny Kurt Vile. Completed with a Sen Morimoto feature, there’s a lot to love in this handful of minutes. The record dips for tracks like “Swollen Summer”, “Plasma Kids”, and “Rooftop Bar.”howing a softer, more delicate shade of his songwriting with the help of another Chicago heavy-hitter, Macie Stewart (of OHMME) on violin. “Winking Buick” is an acoustic-led tale of just barely getting by, accented with optimistic honesty that even though he had to sell the car, there’s still plenty in life to be thankful for.
This meaty 16-track project is exactly what you’re hungry for. Sonny Falls keeps you warm and full with All That Has Come Apart/Once Did Not Exist, out now via Plastic Miracles for purchase on bandcamp, and on all major streaming platforms.