Trophy Eyes
Suicide and Sunshine

Trophy Eyes arrive at their fourth album after experiencing a deeply emotional event, the suicide of a friend, which coincided with a phase of stagnation in their career and the onset of the pandemic.

For this series of reasons, "Suicide And Sunshine" is a choked scream, a perfectly formulated balance between the rawness of the contents and the captivating musical offering. By blending elements of stadium rock, crossover, and synth-rock with lyricism that in more than one passage makes the listener feel like an outsider, the four Australians deliver a brilliant compositional performance.

The opening duo is one of the most representative snapshots of the album.

In "Sydney," John Floreani sings as if his life depended on it, over a sparse yet equally 'anthemic' rock, expressing his love for the city that cradled him in his darkest moment.
In "Life In Slowmotion," instead, he highlights his crew's versatile style, unraveling the certainties that make him feel good and carefully ironing out the wrinkles on a feverish rhythmic structure well-supported in the melodic phase.
The imagery writing is evocative, giving the impression of observing oneself from the outside; we are all dealing with our own adversities, but in the end, no matter how complicated our day might get, what truly matters is knowing that whatever happens, there is someone, somewhere out there, who at dusk will return us to life with the simplicity of a hug, a pat on the back, a well-spoken word.

Be careful, because throughout the tracklist, the theme will return but analyzed from a diametrically opposite perspective.

Meanwhile, "People Like You" raises the stakes: while in the background riffs chase each other, now 'Bloc Party-an', now purely hardcore, the catchy melody of the refrain clashes with a critical and irreverent text.

Anyone who has been here before knows perfectly well how much certain dissonances are appreciated here.

Trophy Eyes face internal struggles, existential questions, and the complexities of relationships without fear. The emotional weight behind every word is palpable, creating an immediate connection with the listener. This authenticity, combined with the talent for evocative storytelling, allows "Suicide And Sunshine" to paint vivid portraits of the human experience.

"Blue Eyed Boy" is another highlight of what is the leitmotif of the album: Josh Campiao's guitar work merges with a precise and punctual synth, while John urges someone important to 'allow him to get under their skin, to fix the mess they've made'. It's not even a prayer, it's a plea:

'I ask you as your best friend'

Words and deeds crash against reality.

The sparse accompaniment section of "Sean" grabs at the throat, it's emotion in its most concentrated form, it's the story of the day the frontman lost someone close to him, it's fraternal love mixed with a sense of guilt:

'The last thing I told you / When you were still with us / Was "do what you do for attention / Otherwise, you would have already committed suicide"

[...]

The message you left on the mirror next to the bed came through loud and clear / You apologized again, as you did too often / And even though this time you didn't need to, I forgive you.'

The Newcastle quartet shows a fearless willingness to experiment and push its musical boundaries, the album traverses seamlessly through various soundscapes, from rock anthems to more intimate tracks.

"My Inheritance" is the negative of "What Hurts The Most," "Sweet Soft Sound" is a ballad, "Epilogue" is the final chapter to reassure "Suicide And Sunshine" that it won't be their last album, that Trophy Eyes no longer fear collapsing in on themselves.

Overall, it's an effort that solidifies the position of one of the bands with the greatest growth potential in the alternative music scene.

With their resolute honesty, engaging melodies, and a convincing compositional performance, Floreani & co. have created a concept album, an emotional roller coaster that projects a journey through life, love, and tragedy. A testament to how music can touch hearts, unite souls, and remind us that on our journey—in each one's way—we are never truly alone.