Sunglaciers Build a Sound to Believe In on "Spiritual Content" (Mothland)
Sunglaciers by Sebastian Buzzalino
If Sunglaciers’ Regular Nature felt like a psych-rock exercise in chaos, Spiritual Content reaches for something more expansive. The Calgary band’s fourth album (out now via Mothland) gathers fragments of meaning—personal, historical, and half-imagined—and arranges them into something that feels like a winding search. Touted as a “rock and roll mosaic,” the record leans into contrast – oscillating between drive and softness, optimism and alienation. Spiritual Content scales great heights in its pursuit of meaning, and relishes the journey.
The album’s more colourful shards are those that press for outward urgency. On “Eye to Eye,” Sunglaciers ride a propulsive surf-punk groove as Evan Resnik’s distorted vocals press toward a kind of solidarity against malevolent forces. An explosive drum pattern envelops the track, struck with a near-breaking intensity that stokes a blaze of unease – as if unity is being directed toward something looming just ahead. Elsewhere in the album, “Intention” arrives with zeal, offering a plea for humanity and shared direction. Even at their most resolute, Sunglaciers never fully settle the tension they’re grappling with – instead, they press further into it.
In the moments where Spiritual Content pulls back, it turns inward, unfolding through more sinuous storytelling. “Starting to Come Back” sketches a reflective portrait, where soft piano lines and percussive textures settle like residual slush in the snow. Resnik toys with simple questions, his voice worn with doubt: ”Are you noticing me? / Are you talking to your friends? / Am I missing something?” Elsewhere, Sunglaciers extend the narrative to a less predictable story: that of Guyanese-British reggae-rock artist Eddy Grant. Inspired by Grant’s resolute creativity and social consciousness, the band concoct a levelheaded tribute grounded in connection. Musing on “the protests we can party to,” Sunglaciers position adversity as something to move through, not around, and to do so in step.
Spiritual Content never quite resolves what it sets in motion, and shows little interest in doing so. Sunglaciers remain tethered to the feeling of wonder, tracing their own paths and meandering down others. In all its complexity, the album points towards a purpose that is disarmingly simple: Sunglaciers have given us a sound to believe in.
Spiritual Content
out now via Mothland
1. Dead Stop
2. Not Yourself
3. Eye to Eye
4. Starting to Come Back
5. Future Free
6. Intention
7. Ballad for Eddy
8. Only Love
9. Wait
Music and lyrics by Evan Resnik and Mathieu Blanchard
Vocals and guitar by Evan Resnik
Drums and percussion by Mathieu Blanchard
Vocals and guitar by Nyssa Brown
Bass by Kyle Crough
Produced by Evan Resnik and Mathieu Blanchard
Additional production by Chad VanGaalen
Engineered by Mathieu Blanchard
Mixed by Mark Lawson at Mount Ineffable
Digital master by Mark Lawson at Mount Ineffable
Vinyl master by Richard White
Artwork photo by Sebastian Buzzalino
Graphic design by Rose Cormier
Sunglaciers
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Rebecca Judd is the Editorial & Operations Lead of Also Cool Mag. She is currently based in Ottawa.
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