Transatlantic duo Sunday (1994), consisting of partners Paige Turner (from LA) and Lee Newell (Slough, UK), alongside mysterious drummer X, released their self-titled debut EP, under Weakday on May 3, 2024. Independently underground, the band relies on Newell for shooting, editing, and artwork, while Turner focuses on the bittersweet visual aspects, singing, and songwriting in their one-bed apartment. Embracing this DIY approach, Sunday (1994) gains inspiration from 90s romance films, offering a melancholic perspective on Turner and Newell’s personal experiences.
On their debut single and opening track, “Tired Boy”, the band draws inspiration from the shoegaze sonics of Mazzy Star and My Bloody Valentine. Over a bittersweet guitar, Turner’s airy vocals capture the vintage melodrama highlighted in the fully formed music video. “‘Cause you don’t give a shit / And it works so perfect for you / I wish I was more like you / I wish I was more like you.”
Based on a true story, “Stained Glass Window” is infused with a shimmering dark declaration of love. “You’re so pretty / It makes me cry that I have to hide / The hands that touch me / If they found out we’d be crucified / This town’s old fashioned.” Leaning into Newell and Turner’s intimate connection, this whimsical lovesong as one of the EP’s standouts.
Held together by its chiming guitar, “Blonde” is reminiscent of an 80s prom montage with its swaying romantic tempo and X’s clean-cut drums. On the pre-choruses, Turner sings, “How did we drift apart? / Did some girl with her beautiful hair / Steal your beautiful heart? / If I can’t change you / If I can’t change you.” The low-spirited lyrics and raw self-expression create a cinematic landscape for listeners to lose themselves in, marking the band worth the watch.
Previously unheard tracks “Mascara” and “Our Troubles,” explore the gut-wrenchingly mundane moments of heartbreak. Whether it be crying over a partner after a party or wishing to leave the past behind in “Mascara,” Sunday (1994)’s discomfort traps listeners in their web; “Mascara running down your face / Running down your shirt / Running down your leg / Into the dirt, where he belongs.” The soft-rock anthem, “Our Troubles” is carried by emotive, angsty lyrics: “Wrong side of twenty one / Called it a blackjack dealer one / I wish I still loved you, I wish I still loved you / I wanna go where nobody knows my name / Oh no, our troubles are all the same.”
The band’s introduction closes with “The Loneliness Of The Long Flight Home,” offering a glimpse into the challenges in the duo’s lives. “No one could ever truly know / All the loneliness of the long flight home.” Their debut EP is a photograph capturing their quick-witted wordplay, chiming guitars, dreamy melodies, and the desire for authenticity and nuance within everyday life. Sunday (1994) is an unapologetic confessional group attracted to Americana-themed visual storytelling and finding catharsis in love, separation, and heartbreak.