Album Review: Kyle Andrews' Brighter Than The Sun

The Ancient Mayans, Greeks, and Egyptians predicted that the Age of Aquarius would be upon the earth circa 2012, and an era of fraternity, love, and wonderful technology would envelop mankind. If the Age of Aquarius really is upon us, then Kyle Andrews’ new album Brighter Than The Sun could be the album of the Age. In fact, Andrews explains on his website that his fifth album’s concept came from contemplating the apocryphal December 21, 2012. If the world were to end, what sort of a legacy would he want to leave?

The answer is Brighter Than The Sun, released on Andrews’ own imprint Elephant Lady Records. Shiny electro-pop replete with uplifting lyrics inspires happiness and warm fuzzy feelings of camaraderie. Poppy synths and unabashed drum machines stand behind lyrics like, “Set your heart at ease/Everything will be okay/It’s not a sad song if everybody sings along.”

Andrews focuses on the wonder and potential of existence, both through lyrics and music. The result is an existential celebration. His message seems to be, ‘If the end is nigh, let’s dance.’

And all of these songs will make you want to dance. “If You Want to Shine” gives the feeling that you’re the star in a rainbow discotheque utopia. Andrew reassures us in “Crystal Ball” that if you want to shake your bon-bon or wave your hands in the air like you just don’t care, that’s great because “You’re all so beautiful.”

The whole album is high energy. Even the tamer songs, “Falling Into Flying” and “I Want That Heart” with its acoustic guitar strumming, are still as much #fun as the rest of the album. Brighter Than The Sun is a creative whirlwind of electronic synthesized textures layered over deliberately crafted hooks. The effect is music that is refreshing, accessible, and totally danceable.

If you find yourself throwing a pool party, feeling down about life’s drudgery, or handling music supervision for the next Target commercial, Brighter Than The Sun is likely the answer to your question: “What music should I play?” You can find the album on iTunes or on Andrews’ Bandcamp page. Stay tuned for tour dates!

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Caroline McDonald

My first memory is of singing Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” quietly to myself during preschool naptime. Perhaps it’s because I’m from Nashville where an instrument lives in every home, but music has gripped me for as long as I can remember.

After dabbling in many parts of the music industry—recording studios, PR, management, labels, publishing—I’m expanding into music journalism because I’m yet to find anything more rewarding that finding and sharing new music.

A longtime sucker for girls with guitars, my musical taste unabashedly follows the songwriting lineage of Dolly Parton and includes Patty Griffin, Gillian Welch, and Neko Case. But not to pigeonhole myself, my music love is big love that stretches from R.L. Burnside to Animal Collective to Lord Huron.

I’ve recently moved home to Nashville after living in Boston and Big Sur for several years. I’d forgotten how music pours onto the streets ten hours a day, seven days a week. I’m honored to share the creative explosion happening here. If your band is in the area or of the area, please reach out!