Sunflower

The debut album from Nashville-based singer-songwriter Briston Maroney has been highly anticipated, gaining traction off the strength of singles like “Deep Sea Diver” and the alternative radio hit “It’s Still Cool If You Don’t.” Sunflower, produced by John Congleton (St. Vincent, Clairo), brings together Maroney’s roots in Nashville’s DIY basement-punk scene, his affinity for fuzzed-out power pop, and his narrative, confessional writing style. Tracks like “Freeway” and “Sinkin’” grapple with feeling out of control of one’s own life, underscored by crunchy guitars. “It’s Still Cool If You Don’t” tests the waters of a potential love, with Maroney’s aching vocal selling his heartache and confusion. Maroney tapped an ace team of collaborators for the project, including Dan Wilson (Semisonic, Adele), country singer-songwriter Jenny Owen Youngs, and Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull and Robert McDowell. Maroney released Sunflower alongside a full-length visual companion album, titled Sunflower: The Visual Album and directed by Joey Brodnax.