First Nations artist Sunny Luwe has today released Flowers in the Sky, her much-anticipated debut album. The proud Wailwan pop-soul artist released a handful of singles earlier this year in the runup to the release of this joyful collection hitting the airwaves.
The tracks have a united, joyful feeling to them. The vocals are pure and potent, with a love for the feel-good vibes of the 60s and 70s imbued throughout. One of my favourites on the album is “Piece of Art”, which has a distinct Beatles-feel. “I Got A Thing For You” has a soul and blues swing sassiness to it. “Made Me Smile” is the song we all wish our partners had written for us. In Flowers in the Sky, Sunny Luwe has created a record that has a joyful nostalgic feel to it.
Of the album, Sunny writes; “The album is a thank you to all the beautiful people in our lives, who love us just as we are, so we can bloom like Flowers in the Sky, expressing our truest and fullest nature.”
The album was recorded in the Gold Coast and New Zealand, with Matthew Collins (Wharves), Tim Goodburn, and ARIA-winner Steven Schram helping out with production. Sunny’s golden vocals are allowed to shine on each track, giving a consistent soundscape throughout.
Taking into account the environmental impacts of releasing the album, Sunny has carefully calculated the carbon generated through the release, and has offset emissions through the North Queensland conservation project, Rainforest 4. The challenges of releasing an album as an independant artist are formidable, so going this extra step is inspirational.
Sunny has several gigs lined up in South-East Queensland in October and November, so if you can catch her, take advantage of the opportunity. All the details are below.
To celebrate the release of Flowers in the Sky, Sunny has put together a track-by-track breakdown for the AU. So press <play>, turn it up, and read on. Flowers in the Sky will wash away the problems of the day.
Track by Track – Sunny Luwe – Flowers In the Sky
Flowers in the Sky is my first-ever album, and I couldn’t be prouder. This was a dream of mine not so long ago. I first started releasing music as a solo artist three years ago, and I remember telling people that I was excited for in a years time, three years time, when I could look back at all the songs I recorded.
And now is that time.
Flowers in the Sky sounds like the 70s had a baby with the 90s – a fusion of my love for classic music with the feel-good 90s tunes I listened to as a kid.
Here’s a run-down song by song.
1. Fly Like A Bird
I got to write this track with the incredibly talented Sally Seltmann. I flew to Sydney and caught a bus to her place, and I remember feeling overcome with gratitude for this experience. I was overcome with happy tears and we infused this sentiment into the song.
2. Summer Kisses
This was a trickier song to tame. I originally recorded this in the studio with Tim, but it didn’t sit right. Matt and I tweaked the tempo and key and voila – we had hit the sweet spot. We recorded this at our home studio which at the time was located right near Jellurgal – aka heaven on earth. It’s definitely infused with Talle Creek energy.
3. Flowers in the Sky
My glorious title track and the song I fussed over. I actually recorded it with Schramy on a whim. We were on a great roll in the studio and we laid this one down in less than a day. It’s such a special track and to me Flowers in the Sky means to live boldly and brightly as your authentic self and be thankful to those who love you just as you are.
4. Give A Little Bit Of Your Love
A fun, silly, cheesy track which is all about those people who lift you up on your down days. At the time I was having a shitty time at work, but the flipside of that was feeling grateful to come home to my partner and hang out with my friends – coz hey, you can always get another job!
5. I Got A Thing For You
Firstly, thank you Nancy Sinatra for inspiring this track. This one was so fun to make, we played with lyrics, double entendre and the track oozes sexiness. This film clip was one of my favourites to shoot ever – I was in awe of all of the incredible performers who danced and made their magic!
6. Drive You Wild
Another flirty track, that just is so reminiscent of the 90s. It’s groovy, funky and sexy. True to it’s title- you get what it’s about.
7. On Friday I Drove Into The Lake
A darker track born from a dream. I had a midday nap with my little puppy George and had a vivid dream – I woke from my slumber and wrote this song in ten minutes, and I felt like it always wanted to be shared and heard.
8. Powerless
Matt Collins of WHARVES penned this song and when he showed me it I fell in love with the track. Coincidentally he had been waiting for a powerful female vocalist to perform the track and here I was. We tweaked the lyrics subtly and recorded it at our home studio.
9. Piece of Art with okmattcollins
When Matt and I talk about our relationship – and our lives prior to getting together, we stumbled across this analogy for life – we are a part of this bigger picture, a gorgeous tapestry – and when you step back, or zoom out you can appreciate all of its beauty. Infused with a Beatles-esque flare this is our contribution to the longest of love songs.
10. Made Me Smile
Last year on I wrote Matt a song for his birthday, performing it nervously and acoustically for him in the morning – he loved it and he wanted to capture that rawness and beauty. The recording is one take – guitar and vocals at the same time.
Upcoming Sunny Luwe Shows
October 21 – Miami Marketta, Miami | Free Entry
November 25 – Dreamworld Night Markets, Coomera | Free Entry
Flowers In The Sky from Sunny Luwe is out now on all streaming platforms.
You can give Sunny a follow on her website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Spotify
