Solar Eyes is the project of Birmingham duo Glenn Smyth and Sebastian Maynard Francis. Formed in 2021, the band have since drawn crowds at tastemaker events like SXSW and The Great Escape and released a slew of warmly received singles and three EP releases ‘Dreaming Of The Moon’, ‘Alcatraz’ and ‘Naked Monkey On A Spaceship’. Earning praise from the likes of Steve Lamacq (BBC6 Music) and John Kennedy (Radio X) at radio, plus The Observer and Louder Than War at press, the band have also seen their music featured on renowned TV programmes including Match of the Day and Football Focus. Releasing their s/t debut album via the Fierce Panda label in 2024, Solar Eyes will also launch the record with a hometown launch show at Birmingham’s Hare & Hounds on 16th February.
Spaghetti Western and Sci-Fi in equal parts, the duo conjure a score for the extraterrestrial Alamo that never was in this shoegazing, sensory-rushing, tour-de-force.
Surely contributing to its Tex-Mex flavourings, “Let’s Run Away” was written and recorded in Texas last year following Solar Eyes’ debut appearance at SXSW festival. Feeling the desert surroundings and local mythologies seeping into their songwriting, frontman Glenn Smyth recalls of the experience:
“‘Let’s Run Away’ was one of the last songs to be written on the album, it was written in Texas last March when we were out there playing south by. You can sort of hear it as well, there’s that Americana haze type sound. Spaghetti western vibe. I sort of had in my head – now this might sound a bit mad – Tracey Chapman ‘Fast Car’ – in essence. But with a brummie slant. A Bonnie and Clyde type thing.”
Glenn Smyth – Solar Eyes
Inspired by small-town tales of daylight robberies in times of old and rumours of the last crimes of the infamous duo Bonnie & Clyde, “Let’s Run Away” is alive with drama and intrigue to rival its pulse-quickening pace. As Glenn sings:
“I hope that given time, you’ll forgive my crimes, I don’t wanna die alone, I love you, I let you go, I’m to blame // I see it all, I heed the call, let’s run away…”
Mixed by Jeff Knowler, it features Glenn Smyth (Guitars/Vocals/Songwriter), Sebastian Maynard Francis (Drums/Percussion), plus additional guitars courtesy of Liam McKeown.
“Let’s Run Away” also arrives with an accomplished official video; a psychedelic cowboy caper, created by the Solar Eyes bassist Emily Doyle.
LETS RUN AWAY – SOLAR EYES
“Let’s Run Away” alongside recent single “Top of the World” will be found on Solar Eyes’ eagerly awaited debut self-titled album, which is due for release on 16 February via the Fierce Panda label.
Solar Eyes debut album OUT FEB 16th
The cosmic creation of Glenn Smyth and Sebastian Maynard Francis, ‘Solar Eyes’ finds the duo delivering a suite of technicoloured tunes that stretch across acid-dipped sonic landscapes and blissed-out melodies. Recalling trippy trailblazers from Primal Scream to the Chemical Brothers, Spacemen 3 to Spector-ish productions; these 12 psych-dappled songs will stimulate the senses and envelop you in their pop-preened charms.
Reaching into topics as far-flung as metaphorical prisons, to unsavoury past acquaintances, the thrill of new-found love, to famous last words; highlights include Deep Trip, Dreaming of the Moon, and Acid Test (The Walls are Closing In On Me). Produced by Tom Ford alongside Solar Eyes, the album was mastered by Streaky, with additional mixing and mastering by Jeff Knowler. It will be released on 16th February 2024.
