music
April 2, 2026
Sunn O))): Sunn O))) review
(Sub Pop)The doomy duo strip back their sound to tectonic guitars and feedback, conjuring an immersive, strangely euphoric listening experience recorded in the wilds of Washington
TL;DR
- The self-titled 10th album by Sunn O))) is a return to their foundational drone metal sound, focusing on heavily distorted guitars and feedback.
- The album was recorded in Bear Creek studio in rural Washington, with ambient sounds of nature, like birdsong and a stream, incorporated into the mix.
- Despite stripping back collaborators and instrumentation, the 90-minute album is expansive and immersive, incorporating nature writer Robert Macfarlane's sleeve notes.
- The integration of environmental sounds offers a sense of escapism and recontextualizes the duo's heavy sound, creating an oddly euphoric effect.
- The album is positioned as a deliberate choice for focused listening, standing against the trend of passive music consumption.