Glare
Sunset Funeral
DEATHWISH/SUNDAY DRIVE
Shoegazers Glare materialized in 2017, yet are only now releasing their first full-length. That may raise the question of whether Sunset Funeral was worth the wait—and not only is the answer an unqualified “yes,” but as it turns out, the timing of the release is perfect, given the shoegaze resurgence in bands like (or inspired by) My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, and Ride over the past few years. Similar to the output by those indie legends, Glare has crafted a record that’s transfixing from start to finish. Those who listen to Sunset Funeral piecemeal do an immense disservice to this work of art, foregoing the ability to appreciate the transcendent, 38-minute endeavor. To paraphrase The Big Lebowski’s Walter Sobchak, such individuals are like children wandering into the middle of a movie and will miss the frame of reference with the record.
So, what’s Sunset Funeral all about? The message isn’t glaringly obvious, but the emotional experience is exceptional and magically personalized. The 11-song journey appears to take the form of a soulful depiction of existentialism; a dynamic, undulating audio portrait of the ups and downs of life. Reverence for the enormity of the human experience; sorrow over what one wants to grasp, but fails to before it slips away; bliss brought by the unexpected turning of events for the better; anger at how mankind continues to fuck up everything when what’s right is so obvious. If that sounds heady, it should: Sure, Glare have released singles and short collections for years, but Sunset Funeral is a consummately deliberate and deliberative affair. The five musicians, who hail from South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, are in such lockstep that they could pass as quintuples. Jam sessions are easy, but crafting an album that travels to the farthest reaches of mood (especially given the number of musicians involved) is a bonafide accomplishment.
Fittingly, Sunset Funeral starts with joyful radiance and optimism before beginning a turn inward with “Saudade.” A sense of forlornness starts to set in on “2 Soon 2 Tell,” after which “Chlorinehouse” questions whether there’s something suspicious lurking behind the sunniness. The brief “Felt” finds the band realizing that, indeed, what appears aesthetically appealing can actually be insidious, and once Glare make that discovery, they lash out on the fierce “Nü Burn” as if they’ve been lied to. “Turquoise Dream” captures the band pulling back a bit, realizing they might’ve overreacted, and by the time “Guts” arrives, they say to hell with it and decide to dance regardless of what’s real. Finally, much like a sunset, closer “Different Hue” ends Glare’s debut with beauty and grace. Needless to say, it’s a hell of a trip.
