BY: DIGITAL WAX MEDIA STAFF 

 

Two-piece alt-rock outfit Goodnight Sunrise has returned with an audacious single, “Never Did Never Will,” which hit streaming services early Tuesday morning.

 

The first release of the year for the band, the single follows “Maybe It’s Just Me” and “Jealous (Of My Friends)”, both of which hit airwaves in the latter half of 2024. With a consistent stream of new music in recent months and confirmation of a new album in the works back in early 2024, hopes are high for fans of the Toronto duo that a new full-length project will be making its way to shelves sooner rather than later. <br/>In the topsy turvy dimension that is the popular music scene – particularly in the current age of social media in which artists are expected to act as full-time online marketing representatives for themselves while working astutely at their craft while also keeping the bills paid – every artist is a character in some form or fashion. To this end, as far as characters are concerned, Goodnight Sunrise is a pair that you just want to love.

 

The band oozes with personality and charisma, and dual-lead vocalists Vanessa and David seem to be the ideal musical compliment to one another. Recent singles “Maybe It’s Just Me” and “Jealous (Of My Friends)” radiate with a mid-2000s pop-punk charm certain to bring a broad grin to the face of any millennial within earshot as they reminisce fondly on days of inhaling near-lethal amounts of airborne spray-cologne while attempting to navigate the barely lit aisles of a Hollister Co. clothing store.

 

With “Never Did Never Will,” however, Goodbye Sunrise is invoking a different atmosphere entirely. While the tight and punchy production remains intact, the mood here is decidedly darker by comparison to the track’s sister singles.

 

Ringing snare shots not entirely dissimilar to the blast of a starting gun set the stage for the song’s intro section, which features searing lead guitar lines atop a strong groove. The rhythm section is key throughout the duration of the track in maintaining the potency of the subject matter, specifically with regard to the musical choices on display, however subtle they may seem. <br/>
The verse sections act as an apt example of these dynamics at play, as much of the instrumentation is reeled in, allowing sufficient space for Vanessa’s vocal to legitimize the song’s emotional center.

 

The bass and drums, through much of these sections, aren’t keeping especially busy. The bass, for example, is providing tasteful muted fourth notes much of the time, providing a dynamic push-and-pull. Conversely, a less nuanced musician might have opted for globby, straight-ahead eighths which would likely not only have muddied the song up substantially, but also would have significantly devalued the emotional payoff of the song during larger sections such as the chorus.

 

These are the sorts of concepts that many navel-gazing musicians aren’t necessarily keen on internalizing. While most everyone wants to be the Vanessa or the Dave of their respective ensemble, it’s often the craft and intelligent playing of the folks at the back of stage which make it possible for the work of composers and songwriters to really leave the ground in the most crucial of moments.

 

As for the tune itself, this barn-burner offers up the proverbial middle finger to doubters and nay-sayers, conjuring a sentiment to which most anyone with an iota of experience out in this hectic world can wholeheartedly relate. While the guitar work present throughout is certainly impressive and responsible in no small part for the discernible attitude which permeates the track, the playing is appropriately restrained, never approaching showy or “look-at-me” territory. Rather, the playing remains in service to the song, coasting on a dry tone that reeks of rockstar cool and might put one in mind of Dan Auerbach’s work with The Black Keys.

 

“Never Did Never Will” is available to stream now and additional information on Goodnight Sunrise, including details on merch, upcoming shows, and additional content, can be found at the band’s website and social media channels.