Illinois-based psych-rockers Nova Sunshine have returned from the astral depths with their latest EP, Dark Matter Reveals the Cosmos. In this five-track collection released in January, ethereal dreamscapes collide with blistering rock ‘n’ roll.
Formed in late 2019, Nova Sunshine takes its name from a lyric in a KGLW track. But the name holds more than just a reference—it’s a fusion of celestial wonder and explosive energy. As the band puts it, “supernova” evokes an eruption of sound, precisely what they aim for in their live shows.
Thematically, Dark Matter Reveals the Cosmos dives into the subconscious, dreams, and the great unknown. It’s a meditation on how the inner mind mirrors the vast expanse of space, perhaps a subtle nod to Carl Jung’s theory of the collective unconscious.
The EP opens with “REM,” an electrified dreamscape where thunderous instrumentals meet hazy, sleep-state atmospherics. The band’s influences are woven into its DNA, but their sonic signature remains distinct.
“Morpheus” follows, a sprawling seven-minute journey through hypnotic, fuzz-laden grooves. It starts with a delicate haze before plunging into heavy, grunge-tinged riffs, a testament to their ability to stretch a song into a mesmerizing trip.
With “Dark Matter,” Nova Sunshine leans into a more infectious groove, crafting a track that’s equal parts hook-laden and immersive. The mood shifts drastically with “Shadows,” a no-holds-barred sonic eruption that barrels into the stratosphere, leaving a trail of cosmic dust and destruction in its wake.
The EP closes with “Silver,” a slow-burning, meditative piece that builds layer by layer, unraveling into a vast, atmospheric swell before fading into the void—a perfect comedown from the EP’s interstellar chaos.
Dark Matter Reveals the Cosmos is a compelling second EP from Nova Sunshine, a band firmly rooted in the psych underground but primed for ascension. For now, they may be a hidden gem in Peoria, Illinois, but with music this transportive, their trajectory is set toward something much bigger.
Check out Dark Matter Reveals the Cosmos by Nova Sunshine on Bandcamp here.
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