Interscope Records
Release Date: November 10th 2021
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
OneRepublic– Sunshine (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Sunshine
The other month I reviewed the long-awaited album from pop band OneRepublic, called Human. Comprising of 8 songs we’ve heard before (through various stand-alone singles released throughout the period of 2018-2021) and 8 brand new songs, Human as a whole was a compelling, emotional, honest, vulnerable and inspiring album and one of my favourites of 2021 thus far. I won’t dive deep into OneRepublic here, because you can read about them on Wikipedia or on my review of Human or on Jon’s blog about them from a couple of years ago. But what I will say is that the band is back for their latest single “Sunshine”, a bouncy, poppy tune, which also serves as the lead single for the movie Clifford The Big Red Dog. And what we do have here (which could also be for another OneRepublic album as well!) is a melody with a lot of heart, soul, inspiration and purpose. It’s a song to turn up in the summer, and to also dwell upon when you’re feeling low. It’s a song for all seasons, and that’s the beauty of any OneRepublic song. They’re hard to hate, and the same goes for “Sunshine”.
My level of respect for Ryan and his band mates increased instantly by an exponential factor once I listened to and reviewed Human. My respect also further increased as I watched snippets of the band’s exclusive ‘One Night in Malibu’ digital performance on YouTube which was randomly uploaded a while ago. Could “Sunshine” prove to be another hit and be the song that furthers my respect for them? You’d think that they’d have a slip-up now and again… but “Sunshine” isn’t that song. It’s a pop banger that shows us the band’s identity front and centre- and even though it’s a song not even lasting 3 minutes, the message and hope is still there. With the melody being a pick-me-up tune about living life to the fullest and soaking up the sunshine, being thankful for this life; we are met with a song that is carefree but a song that inspires us to be grateful for the air we’re breathing and the heartbeat in our chests.
In this very moment with so much uncertainty; I’d have to say that the future is unknown in all facets- economically, emotionally, relationally… but with albums like Human to listen to, hope is still alive in the hearts of all of us, as we hang onto our humanity and our strength. While I myself are of the opinion that right now we need more and more new music to get us through, I for one agree somewhat with what Ryan Tedder mentioned last year, in that releasing new music while a pandemic is going on seems a bit insensitive. Yet every artist is different- and at least there is still uplifting music around if you only know where to look. We all may not have understood why OneRepublic kept delaying Human; but as long as we can be reminded to cherish the ones you love and to chase after your dreams and whatever else is in your heart, then I am certain that we will see the light at the end of the tunnel in the coming months and years! With “Sunshine” being the presumed lead single for the next OneRepublic album due out in May 2022; OneRepublic isn’t slowing down. There’s still life in these guys yet… and can we say that “Sunshine” marks a new chapter for these guys, maybe one that hopefully will be longer than the previous chapter? Well done guys, for one of your most poppy yet hopeful songs this year! And I can’t wait to hear whatever comes next!
Score: 4.5/5
RIYL: Tenth Avenue North, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, The Fray, Little Mix, Pentatonix