Have you ever felt trapped in an urban jungle? Chicago-based Shredded Sun’s latest single, “Skyscraper,” channels this question into a playful power-pop romp exploring the way we relate to green space and urban sprawl. Composed of Sarah Ammerman, Nick Ammerman, and Ben Bilow, these three have been playing together since 2004, and recently resurrected as Shredded Sun in 2015. This single is the first off the upcoming album Never Odd or Even.
The song’s composition is immediately catchy, moving back and forth between Nick’s lighthearted vocals and a satisfyingly jangly lead guitar. Sarah’s vocals come in later, playfully singing “check the map and you will see / there’s too much open space”, while Ben’s energetic drumming keeps the rhythm going. I found the lyrical themes of continuous urbanization contrasting with the desire to live in an urban setting (a la the refrain, “I never / want to leave the city / again”) very relatable as a 30-something who has bounced around from city to city.
With clever lyrics and a wonderful blend of fuzz rock and power-pop, “Skyscraper” is quite the earworm, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for an injection of creativity and humor into their musical diet. Whether or not you ever find your way out of the concrete jungle, definitely give it a listen and keep an eye out for Shredded Sun’s upcoming album Never Odd or Even in August.
Written by Cassie Toby
