There's this element of clarity, an all too human thing at play in Sunshine shadowS' new release "Brave'n'strong." Hailing from Hameln is a gang of dedicated musicians whose brand of blues-rock goes straight to the beating heart, not just to your ears, but to your bones, using deep-seated rhythms to resonate in the bones.
A loving tribute to Eric Clapton on his 80th birthday, "Brave'n'strong" is pure time-machine material, an earnest love letter to the period between Slowhand's first two solo albums, when blues and rock walked hand in hand with openness. But while it tips its hat respectfully and affectionately to a legend, the song also stands well enough on its own two legs, gritty, soulful, and unafraid to show some real emotion.
Sunshine shadowS' sound is evident from the opening guitar lick. The guitars sound warm and gritty, the rhythm section grooves with a sly authority, and the vocals have a lived-in quality informed by genuine musical mileage. There is no varnish for perfectionism here, only truth, straight from the heart.
In "Brave'n'strong" the band doesn't just reframe Clapton, they speak with his spirit. The result is a song celebrating resilience, artistry, and the eternally enduring force of the blues. Even if you can barely play air guitar, if you're a guitar player, Blood will have you reaching for an electric and tuning to Sunshine shadowS. In "Brave'n'strong," they've captured something rare a modern blues anthem with soul.