Band:	40 Watt Sun
Album:	Little Weight
Style:	Slowcore
Release date:	September 06, 2024
A review by:	X-Ray Rod

01. Pour Your Love
02. Half A World Away
03. Astoria
04. Feathers
05. Closer To Life
06. The Undivided Truth

With a stripped-down approach, a significantly reduced number of guests and a rawer production than on previous albums, 40 Watt Sun delivers yet another emotional ride with Little Weight. But this time with more, ehm, weight.

I made my love for all things revolving Patrick Walker’s music very clear the last time I reviewed a 40 Watt Sun album. Or the last time I reviewed a 40 Watt Sun live performance. Thing is, in my circle of friends and colleagues here at Metalstorm HQ, I was among the minority who really loved the trio’s previous release, Perfect Light. It is true that it was a very ambitious record with a massive length that wasn’t for everybody. It carried a sound that captured only the quietest, most gentle aspects of the band even more so than the band’s sophomore album, Wider Than The Sky, which already saw the distorsion disappearing almost completely.

So naturally, I was expecting another moving and clean-sounding album. But Pat & co threw us a curveball. Now, before people start expecting something heavy and loud, let me reassure you that this is still a 40 Watt Sun album. It is slow-burning, deeply atmospheric progressive rock with softcore and folk leanings. That being said, It is clear that Little Weight is the heaviest album (conventionally speaking that is) that the band has released since The Inside Room. A lot of that has to do with the production, mixing and recording, which is much more organic and “live” sounding. There is a spontaneous attitude and a very warm vibe around all the instruments. And even though the bass and drums have a very slick tone to them, it is the guitars that benefit from this production work the most. Some of the riffs actually took me by surprise, like on the vibrant “Half A World Away” where the guitars shine through in a triumphant, powerful crescendo along with Pat’s passionate voice. Speaking of his voice, there are really no surprises here. Pat’s vocals remain as strong and unique as ever, singing life-affirming lyrics filled with introspection and love.

So if Perfect Light felt a bit meandering to you, I strongly recommend you to check out what 40 Watt Sun has released for us this year. I count myself among those who have enjoyed everything they have released so far. But even I can admit it is refreshing that Little Weight is a more immediate release that can very quickly resonate with the listener with its much punchier approach. Furthermore, at 45 minutes, it is the band's easiest album to dive into. So grab your jacket, take a long walk through the busy streets while this album plays, and get blinded by the lights of the city.

And didn’t they shine?