SunYears Come Fetch My Soul! (Yep Roc)
Swedish singer/songwriter Peter Morén of Peter Bjorn and John brought in a slew of Indie Pop contemporaries including Ron Sexsmith, Jess Williamson, Eric Johnson, and Kathryn Williams to help with his latest project, SunYears. The result is a serene mix of folk and pop.
The moniker SunYears was not chosen lightly as it was meant to evoke not only the classic sound of Sun Records as well as the deeper passage of time. Years in the making it is yet another project that saw its genesis during the pandemic, when touring was put on hold. During the forced isolation Morén rediscovered his love of playing guitar in solitude as well as collaborating with a small group of friends in his hometown of Stockholm. “Those experiences brewed something in me,” he said recently speaking about the record. “Looking at how other people make music and dipping in and out of other environments was really inspiring.”
And that collaborative vibe can be heard throughout the 10 tracks on Come Fetch My Soul!, from the opening title track featuring Williamson and the sentimental “Granddad’s Song” with Sexsmith, to the collaboration with Fruit Bats on “Last Night I Dreamt That I Met Phil & Don,” the 1950s-esque mid-tempo rocker that bring to mind the Sun Records Era. There is also a rollicking instrumental, “Two Birds, Mid-Flight,” adding even more depth to the project. The record closes on the moody “Wake Up!” featuring Williams and Ren Harvieu, written during a songwriting retreat.
The album is not too far removed from Morén’s solo work and fits perfectly alongside his records from Peter Bjorn and John. A charming, thoughtful record that shows the power of collaboration.
Find the music here: https://yeprocrecords.bandcamp.com/album/come-fetch-my-soul-1