“It’s one of those strange, subtle ironies of life that I genuinely believe this is our finest record."
— Nick KivlenThe outcome of such unwavering determination is ‘Mortal Primetime’, an album filled with defiance, enhanced by the realization that they managed to revive the band’s prospects, if not entirely from the edge, at least from an extended period of struggle. They sound liberated, casting aside any constraints of the past. The heavy, gritty rock power chords of the leading single ‘Champagne Taste’ shine and stride confidently, while the gentle sadness of ‘Waiting For The Rain’ pays homage to ‘60s psych pop, and the final track ‘Sunshine’ brings a rich, Kevin Shields-like haze. “It’s one of those strange, subtle ironies of life that I genuinely believe this is our finest record,” Nick states. “The truth is, it almost didn’t happen, but we were able to apply the skills we developed over the years to create something I take more pride in than any other album we've ever made.”It marked a return to core principles, rejecting the notion that their focus should be wasted on modern music industry conventions – there are no tracks meticulously crafted for viral success here. “It was just like, alright, we are here and even that alone is a victory, so the album felt like play,” he explains. “We had already succeeded by gaining the opportunity to create it, so we made whatever we wanted.”‘Mortal Primetime’ is an intriguingly evocative title, resonating with both vulnerability and strength. Through their challenges, Sunflower Bean has infused their music with the understanding that part of growing older involves confronting life’s unpredictability.“We’ve always had a fascination with time, and Sunflower Bean has essentially been an exploration in writing as we evolve,” Julia shares. “So many of our fans have literally witnessed our growth. We felt confident enough to produce this ourselves, and I think there’s something about believing in yourself that makes this moment our prime. This is the best we've ever been. It’s the strongest, most capable, and most grounded we’ve ever been, because we all understand our purpose. We’re here for the love of the musical world that we’ve created together.”This same confidence has enabled them to be open in their themes as well. Not only addressing the end of a long-term relationship, Julia – who has previously talked about her experience with grooming – is even more forthright on the album track ‘There’s A Part I Can’t Get Back’: “There’s a bag I can’t unpack / It’s always with me / If I die before I wake / I pray the Lord lets me get even first,” she sings.It's a testament to the band's experience that they feel equipped to manage the weight of the song, and a clear indication of their renewed intimacy that it serves as an opportunity for processing. Consequently, Julia believes that the album ultimately revolves around the theme of love, in all its manifestations. “We were able to express love towards each other, and that thread is woven throughout all of these songs,” she states. “There is love for your past [on the album], there’s love for your friends, there’s an effort to understand how to love, and the imperfections of love.”And what about self-love? “Ah, that’s the true journey,” she replies. “We’ll see if we ever arrive there.”
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Following their third album 'Headful Of Sugar,' the New York trio Sunflower Bean found themselves in a state of uncertainty. However, after some time apart and shifts in their viewpoints, they have come back with 'Mortal Primetime' - an album filled with a newfound sense of defiance.