Following several soundtracks and longform drone compositions,
Sun Glories
is
Chuck Johnson
's first proper album since 2021's
The Cinder Grove
, which continued the pedal steel guitar explorations of his earlier album
Balsams
, as well as his work with
Marielle V Jakobsons
as
Saariselka
. Like some of
Johnson
's previous releases,
features a mixture of guitars, synthesizers, organ, and harmonium played by
, and other instruments provided by guest musicians. The warm glow and sighing steel guitar of "Telos" introduce the album as another extension of
's ambient Americana recordings, but the shoegazey guitar static and
Ryan Jewell
's patiently rumbling drums switch the narrative entirely.
credits
Rachika Nayar
for renewing his interest in the possibilities of the electric guitar, inspiring him to pick up the instrument again after abandoning it for several years. The integration of his electric and pedal steel techniques, along with synths and other instruments, certainly feels like a fresh perspective for his work. "Sylvanshine" is especially inspired by
Nayar
, and it blends gentle, almost droplike guitar notes with
Cole Pulice
's electronically enhanced tenor saxophone, which plumes skyward and briefly gets entangled in a rush of energy. "Hovering" ends up with heavier guitar distortion, which feels like waves crashing against rocks. "Ground Wave" is more focused on pedal steel, along with string arrangements played by
Clarice Jensen
and
Emily Packard
, which sweep the piece away and elevate it into a state of cosmic pathos. Final track "Broken Spectre" starts out cloudy, then develops rippling drums and electronics before erupting into a scorching guitar solo.
is a magnificent record displaying
's mastery of multiple instruments and techniques. ~ Paul Simpson