Brand new record from Sukh

Sukh is a Wolverhampton-born, Manchester-based singer-songwriter who’s spent over a decade forging his unique musical identity. Known for his reflective lyrical style and genre-fusing sound, Sukh first arrived on the scene back in 2013 with his debut EP Kings, which was released to critical acclaim.

His musical journey, however, has been far from typical; juggling a career as a doctor alongside his artistic pursuits has given Sukh a rare perspective on life, which profoundly informs his songwriting. Balancing the emotional intensity of his life on the hospital wards with his creative drive, Sukh followed up his debut with multiple releases including his sophomore album Galactic Love Machine in 2018 which was shaped by the personal and professional challenges he faced during his medical studies.

Sukh’s music is a compelling mix of storytelling and delicate melodic writing, drawing from diverse influences like classic literature, psychology and cinema. Over the years, Sukh has built a reputation on the live circuit, playing alongside acts like Basia Bulat, Nizlopi and Beth Rowley. He’s also a festival regular, having performed multiple times at Kendal Calling as well as securing support from BBC Radio 2 and BBC Introducing.

Now, Sukh returns with his latest album Heading East, a project that marks a significant shift in sound from his 2022 release Age of Strangers. Once again with long-time collaborator and producer Rox Capriotti of Shape of Water, the new record presents a meditation on long-term relationships and companionate love, exploring the deeper, often less glamorous side of love that comes after the initial thrill has faded and what it means to weather the ups and downs of life together.

Started with “Kind,” the LP kicks off with a bright and breezy blend of airy guitar tones and uptempo drums as Sukh’s smooth vocal glide in to add buoyant melodies above. Crafting a charming pop-focused indie sound, it’s a delightful jam that puts his catchy songwriting and alluring vocals on full display.

“For the Road” serves up an Americana-inflected sound with lively guitar chords and leads as the shuffle of drums and warm organ tones create a heartwarming soundscape capped by instantly memorable vocals. Stacking his voice into harmonic layers, intricate lead guitar flourishes add vibrant dashes of colour to the arrangement, resulting in a stunning country pop tinged sound.

With “Far,” Sukh slows things down with a graceful ballad style song where slow burning rhythms and tender lyrics are brought to life by alluring melodies and soft electric guitar lines. Songs like “Conquered” offer an enchanting sound of nostalgic pop that filters shimmering synth textures and elegant vocals through a sepia toned lens.

“Faith” injects a superb dose of moving vocal performance and subtly driving energy to deliver a magical moment of pop rock music that swells to an anthem chorus with a sound that’s impossible not to love. Closing the album with “If You Are,” eerie piano notes float through a hazy atmosphere before Sukh’s gentle voice is met with a cinematic arrangement of smokey percussive shots and drifting sonic textures, developing with pulsing synths and ethereal vocal style, offering a dazzling final outing to conclude this worthy new album from an artist with a a truly enduring sound.

Listen to Heading East below