Photo: Kris Parenti
DAMAGED CARS
AND CLASSIC TUNES,
DIAMONDS TEARS,
ON A MIRROR SKY
Hailing from Belgium, ULTRA SUNN is slicing through the electronic underground music milieu with their brooding beats and icy synth motifs. They’ve rapidly captured the gaze of the international scene with their bold foray into the realms of unabashed dance music that transcends time and generations. Marrying earnest beats with tuneful harmonies and topped with hooks that are nothing short of infectious, they’ve mastered the art of concocting anthems that beckon the crowd to sing along, ensuring that their sound is a staple on DJ turntables and streaming playlists.
ULTRA SUNN consists of Gaelle Souflet and Sam Huge. The duo brings a modern edge to the classic sound of their home country’s New Beat boom of the late 1980s, commonly referred to as “The Sound of Belgium.” New Beat music is defined by its hypnotic slow rhythms and the extensive use of synthesizers and samples, with lore suggesting it may have accidentally been born from playing an A Split-Second 45 at the wrong speed. This genre melds acid house, EBM (Electronic Body Music), and techno elements.
“It’s probably the first love song we have written,” says the band. “You & Me is one of our most intimate tracks. It’s a song that talks about our relationship and what we love to experience together. The verses echo our travels and places that are important to us in which we like to take refuge. The chorus sounds like something we say to each other, as if in all our experiences and favorite places, we were looking for and finding each other.”
The single’s release is complemented by the third installment in Ultra Sunn’s live video series, which highlights the band’s innovative use of visuals and lighting. This creative approach amplifies the track’s atmospheric essence, adding another layer of depth to their already immersive sound. Both the song and the video are gorgeous, and this compelling darkwave composition looks easy with their commanding performance.
Watch the video for “You & Me” below:
Across three EPs—Night Is Mine, Body Electric, Kill Your Idols—ULTRA SUNN has evolved, inspired not only by predecessors in the Belgian electronic music scene but also by art, fashion, and a wide array of sounds. “Our inspirations can range from 17th-century Baroque music to RuPaul,” they state.
“The famous Sound of Belgium is indeed one of our major inspirations, we grew up with this music and sounds and we have the pleasure of having met most of the acts in this scene,” they continue. “Some are true mentors and we cherish the advice they gave us. We are proud to be considered the heirs of this musical tradition while having the desire to add our current and modern touch to the sounds and themes.”
The duo has collaborated with the likes of Kontravoid, Kris Baha, and Curses.
ULTRA SUNN’s full-length debut album, “US,” is scheduled to be released on April 19, 2024.
ULTRA SUNN has performed live across Europe, North America, and South America, including shows with with legends Nitzer Ebb, Front 242, A Split Second, and more. A slew of world touring is underway for 2024, including a stop at Sick New World Festival (Slipknot, System of a Down, Code Orange) in Las Vegas.
Catch them on tour this year:
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