"Sun to Rise EP" Is Stephen Foster's Take On Calming Yet Haunting Tunes

While it’s true that people can neither be calmed nor haunted by this EP, the essence emitted by every track and what one may feel after listening to them is unique. “Sun to Rise” is warm all throughout, but it may get too warm and stripped down that you’d feel unsettled and cold. The point is, this record is an experience you wouldn’t want to miss.

Hailing from Santa Cruz, California is Stephen Foster, a singer-songwriter with a knack for making tunes that make you pay attention to it rather than vice versa. His EP “Sun to Rise” is composed of four songs (one of which being a cover), that is perfect to pair with a cup of tea and a warm blanket.

The title track sounds nostalgic with the way it’s paced, the way it rhymes, the fill-ins, and just the overall vibe of the song. It’s reminiscent of underrated, early 2000s alternative/indie bands and gems. “Sun to Rise” is a topic pick for relaxing, or turning up the radio during a drive along sunset boulevard. It’s the music form of the reminder that if better days are possible and have been experienced before, then they are still possible today.

“In Our Moments”, on the other hand, inherits the previous track’s nostalgic element, only it’s tamer and would more likely be labeled as a love song. It savors heartbreak, love, hope, and even hopelessness. The line “When will we go home? God, we’re so alone” is not only a declaration to the wind, but to the Almighty Father as well. It’s the type of song to be played on a warm, summer night or in isolation in front of an open fire.

A somber take on the 1964 Marry Poppins song, Stephen Foster’s version of “Chim Chim Cher-ee” has an eerie, Christmas tinker to it; you shouldn’t exactly feel alone or creeped out, yet it somehow feels like the only appropriate response to this cover.

Last but not the least, “Untitled” would easily be mistaken for a lullaby, but rightfully so. The gentle plucking of the guitar with the same careful delivery of the vocals are enough to relax anyone. Needless to say, the harmonies are pretty and neatly arranged. It’s a short-lived track, but two and a half minutes are enough to appreciate it.

All in all, it’s impossible to say anything bad about this EP. It’s grounding, reflective, and keeps its pace in moderation despite the potential mixed feels with every track. Nevertheless, it’s a record worthy of your time.