REVIEW: Glare - Sunset Funeral

Shoegaze band Glare formed in 2017 in Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and have already amassed a sizeable following with their viral hazy tunes. Now, they are on the cusp of releasing their debut LP, Sunset Funeral, on April 4th - a record that promises to bring all the feels, with its main themes focusing on the process of grief, whether it's caused by love or loss. What makes this album special and sets it apart from others in the same genre is the bands’ effort to make it sound as DIY as possible, to the point where it seems like they didn't use any man-made instruments.

The lead single introduces the listener to the atmosphere of the album. 'Mourning Haze’, to quote singer and guitarist Toni Ordaz, "is about grief and how dreams play a role in processing it” (“When my eyes shut I see you smiling / Once in a while I hear you call out for me / So stay and dream with me”). The softer vocals contrast nicely with the more energetic instrumentation, creating that repetitive shoegazey feel.

'Saudade’ and '2 Soon 2 Tell’ take the listener even further into the emotionally charged ambience of the record. The former encapsulates the meaning of the Portuguese word perfectly, denoting an emotional state of nostalgic longing for a beloved yet absent someone, while the latter has the type of gut-punching instrumental that makes it stand out and compels the listener to come back to it.

Set in the middle of the album, 'Felt’ is an interlude that starts dreamy but slowly becomes somewhat dissonant and eerie, marking the transition to some of the heavier tracks on the record. ‘Nü Burn’ comes right after, with a grittier sound that almost drowns the somewhat indecipherable vocals, still managing however to create an enthralling experience. While touching on the feeling of grief and the way it can paralyze you, the band describes this track as “a big, explosive song and probably our heaviest”.

‘Guts’ was the second single released and is supposed to evoke the feeling of anxiety caused by an all-consuming love. That exact emotion is reproduced through ethereal vocals juxtaposed with the guitar riffs and atmospheric elements (“Lay with me / It consumes your body / Does it feel real?”). ‘Sungrave’ and ‘Different Hue’ bring the album title to life, ending the record with the perfect late-night drive vibe and bringing the listener back to a more dreamy, hazy state of mind.

To sum it all up, this album may seem overwhelming at first, but as the songs flow, it becomes an adventure for the senses and offers a variety of instrumental textures - the band's hardcore roots blending harmoniously with softer elements, which provide a distinctive sound. The general vibe of the record is almost trance-like with its gripping tone, feeling overall cohesive. Thus, the 11 songs provide a favourable environment for exploring the kind of feelings that can sometimes be difficult to express accurately in words.

Score: 6/10

Sunset Funeral will be released on April 4th 2025 via Deathwish Inc. and Sunday Drive Records.

Words: Iulia Furnica

Photo: Sam Tellez