reviewed by Laura Stanley
Although the new EP from Edmonton singer-songwriter Brock Tyler, You Can’t Keep The Sun Down, times in at only fifteen minutes, Tyler conveys such a wide range of emotions in a short time, all presented in an elegant, pop-like, musical style.
Recorded at a church in the middle of the night, the reverb heard is one that’s all natural. The piano, guitars, trumpets, and drums (all played by Tyler), fill the EP, letting each track flow with ease from one to the other.
Tyler sings, “I’ve been feeling down of late but I know things will turn around. On Saturday, maybe,” in the heartwarming track, “On Saturday, Maybe.” The sweet and sentimental value of the song is obviously appealing but paired with the catchy piano riff, and this song is a hit.
A mixture of emotions occurs through You Can’t Keep The Sun Down, changing with each song. With its gentle combination of piano and guitar, “Because You Live” is a quiet song but one of the best from the EP, remarking on keeping positive and being hopeful.
Taking its queues from Simon & Garfunkel’s song, “April Come She Will,” Tyler uses the months of April, May, and June as his muse in the last three songs from the EP, beginning with “The Flowers of April,” changing to, “The Snow in May,” and finally closing with the jazzy “June.”
By the time the bridge hits, around the two minute mark, in “June,” the trumpets begin to take over the song, echoing off of the church walls for a rich and wholesome effect.
Brock Tyler’s You Can’t Keep The Sun Down, is a short, sweet, and simple EP but with the music captured in the way it is and Tyler’s poignant lyrics, the EP is able to standout.
You can stream and buy You Can’t Keep The Sun Down at Brock Tyler’s Bandcamp page.
Top Tracks: “Because You Live,” “June”
Rating: Proud Hoot (Really good)
