London based ‘Gritpop’ 5-piece Sweet Unrest return with the emotive & high octane ‘Sometimes’. An evocative and competitive builder that delivers softness and urgency. The single takes a reflective tone before shocking you with the unexpected burst of energy that’s come to stylise their sound.
Produced by Luke Burgoyne (Libertines, Louis Tomlinson, J Hus, Bastille, Declan McKenna), the band’s characteristic tension between delicate sensitivity and furious impulses is captured beautifully on ‘Sometimes’; heartfelt with a crunchy 90s rock edge. Opening with a mellow acoustic reflection, the track soon erupts into the band’s signature, guitar-driven frenzy, with biting riffs, spat out vocals, drums as heavy as the heart that wrote it. This eruption is like the sonic expression of the emotional journey of the song.
Jack River (lead vocals) explains: “This song started about a breakup, but I abandoned it because I couldn’t figure out the rest. Then two of my mates died in the same week, and the rest of the song just fell out of me.
After their deaths, I realised how I wanted to live: to love better. If I could do that, they wouldn’t have died for nothing. That’s what the final verse is about. Leon rewrote my opening chords and made them suspended, giving the start a really different feel and making it a proper surprise when it all kicks in.
Though inspired by different events, the song deals with one feeling – accepting loss in any form and celebrating the memory of people who aren’t here anymore. It starts with an aching heart, and explodes into a celebration of joy and life, working through grief in its own way. Every time we play it, I’m reminded that after sadness always comes joy.
When I first played it in rehearsal on acoustic guitar, Dan was setting up his kit and kicked in right after the first chorus – a moment of accidental perfection. We knew that had to be the structure. Halfway through, a brooding acoustic song turned into something that made you want to dance and celebrate life, and suddenly it meant so much more.”
Having toured across the UK, with festival appearances at Hanwell Hootie (Main Stage), Lakefest (Main Stage), The Great Escape, Isle of Wight and Tramlines, Sweet Unrest have opened for Carl Barat, Republica and The Vapors, and now host a sellout bi-weekly residency in Camden called Sweet Spot. Following radio play from BBC Radio 6 Music (Steve Lamacq), the band’s debut physical release hit No.12 in the UK vinyl chart and sold out at Rough Trade.
Since forming in 2022, Sweet Unrest have quickly built a reputation as one to watch, their sound brings together timeless alt-rock elements with 90s and 70s rock transposed into something completely new. Recently recording at Abbey Rd. and with over 260k Spotify streams, the band are now well established as one to watch. Sweet Unrest’s relentless energy, flirting with disaster and thriving in chaos makes them hard to look away from.
Sweet Unrest are:
Jack River – Lead Vocals
Leon Theo – Bass
Tom Waller – Rhythm guitar
Marlo Richards – Lead Guitar
Dani Jam – Drums
Upcoming Live Dates:
5th November – Paper Dress Vintage
14th Nov – Dust, Brighton
4th December – The Grace, London
16th December supporting Laurie Wright – Electric Ballroom, London
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