Sol y Sombra is the fifth studio album of Rose City Band, a project of American singer Ripley Johnson.[2] It was released on January 24, 2025, through Thrill Jockey.[3] The lead single from the album, "Lights on the Way", was released on October 9, 2024.[4]
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
Relix wrote in its review for the album, "the recipe remains the same on Sol y Sombra, which again features Barry Walker Jr.'s sublimely supple pedal-steel stylings alongside Johnson's silky solos," referring to Johnson's "laid-back, front-porch approach,"[5] while AllMusic stated "the heightened production and detours into previously untraveled styles all slowly contribute to this chapter being both a continuation and a gentle expansion of Johnson's warped, beautiful, and ongoing vision of space-age country music."[1]
Glide Magazine reviewed the album, stating "Sol Y Sombra attempts to balance where the band is heading and where they have been, all while trying to make sense of the present moment."[6]
BrooklynVegan stated "The magic on this album, and Rose City Band, lies with the interplay between Johnson and pedal steel player Barry Walker who, coupled with the album’s sweet melodies, create their own radiant light."[7]
Sol y Sombra was described by Uncut as "Just gorgeous" and Mojo as "yet another beauty."[8][9]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Lights on the Way" | 4:32 |
| 2. | "Open Roads" | 2:32 |
| 3. | "Rolling Gold" | 4:23 |
| 4. | "Evergreen" | 4:12 |
| 5. | "Sunlight Daze" | 5:57 |
| 6. | "Radio Song" | 5:02 |
| 7. | "Seeds of Light" | 4:42 |
| 8. | "La Mesa" | 2:07 |
| 9. | "Wheels" | 4:37 |
| 10. | "The Walls" | 4:04 |
| Total length: | 42:08 | |
References
- ^ a b c Thomas, Fred. "Sol y Sombra - Rose City Band". AllMusic. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ a b Chelosky, Danielle (October 9, 2024). "Rose City Band Announce New Album 'Sol Y Sombra': Hear "Lights On The Way"". Stereogum. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ LaPierre, Megan (October 10, 2024). "Rose City Band Announce New Album 'Sol y Sombra,' North American Tour". Exclaim!. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ Redfern, Mark (October 11, 2024). "Rose City Band Announce New Album and Tour, Share New Song "Lights on the Way"". Under the Radar. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ Gehr, Richard (January 23, 2025). "Rose City Band: Sol y Sombra". Relix. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ Dillon, Ryan (January 23, 2025). "Rose City Band's Twangy Psychedelia Gets Sonic Liftoff With 'Sol Y Sombra'". Glide Magazine. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ Pearis, Bill (January 24, 2025). "Album reviews: Mogwai, Tunng, Matt Berry, Anna B Savage, more". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ "Jan 2025". Uncut Magazine. p. 40.
- ^ "Mar 2025". Mojo Magazine. p. 93.