Al Sunny shares new LP ‘Summer End’

Over the last few years, French singer-songwriter Al Sunny has been making an impression in the music world with his blend of soul, pop and west coast groove. Since first arriving in 2017, he’s built up a global following drawn to his smooth fusion of laidback funk, silky vocals and nostalgic charm that’s equally driven by groove and emotion. Al Sunny’s music lives somewhere between the golden age of soft rock and the modern textures of nu disco and neo soul, a timeless sound that’s comforting and thoroughly engaging.

His debut album, Time to Decide, released via Favourite Recordings in 2017, crafted a world of breezy melodies and soulful vibes through clean guitars, warm analogue tones and alluring harmonies. With echoes of artists like Toto, Boz Scaggs and Michael McDonald, the record reimagined 70s west coast pop for a new generation, balancing nostalgia with modern aesthetic. Four years later, his follow-up Planets took that world and expanded it into a more cosmic direction.

Again released via the Favourite Recordings imprint, the sophomore outing was recorded live with Guts’ backing band at Question de Son studio in Paris, working with analogue equipment that gave the record a warmth that mirrored the organic chemistry of the sessions. Time to Decide floated in golden-hour light while Planets reached for the night sky, more expansive, more experimental but still furnished with Al’s soulful presence. With its shimmering synths, live instrumentation and reflective tones, the record confirmed Al Sunny as an artist shaping the sound of modern French groove with flair.

Now, Al Sunny opens a new chapter with Summer End, his third full-length album and his first collaboration with Légère Recordings. Recorded in near isolation at keyboardist Florian Pellissier’s home, the album captures a sense of intimacy and focus. The week-long session, with Loïs Eichelbrenner handling sound recording, resulted in something that feels at once organic and profoundly personal. Mixed at Question de Son by Jordan Kouby and mastered by Mickael Rangeard, Summer End is musically pristine and emotionally compelling, presenting a perfect reflection of Al Sunny’s ability to instil meaning into memorable musical moments.

While his love for soul and pop remains at the heart of his writing, Summer End stretches his output even further, drawing subtle influence from modern acts like Sault, Khruangbin, Daniel Caesar, Anderson .Paak and Tom Misch. This subtle shift results in an album that feels more nocturnal and textured than anything he’s done before, forging a record that invites listeners to slow down, reflect and find peace in the in-between.

The eight-track LP kicks off with the rolling drums, bright instrumentation and smooth vocalisations of opening track “Why,” which glides into a slick soul pop jam brimming with mellow groove and instantly catchy vocal hooks. “Goodbye” follows with the bouncy of keys and snap of tapped percussion before Al’s enticing vocal leads drift in to spin charming melodic lines as the arrangement of intricate guitars and pulsing bass swells around his voice.

“So Lonely” starts with the zap of synth as Al’s delicate voice hover above as the rattle of drums and stab of bass brings the track into sharp focus to cast a misty pop jam cut with alternative R&B songwriting and timeless songwriting. Tracks like “Take Your Time” lean into a hypnotic, downtempo sphere where the soothing patter of soft beats, dreamy vocals and spacey synth textures combine to form a hazy and utterly mesmeric listening experience.

Title track “Summer End” injects an intricate rhythm jumps with crisp percussion and elegant instrumentation craft a stripped back arrangement for Al’s stunning vocal performance to shine above. Closing the record with “Feeling’s Gone Away,” the reverb-drenched twang of airy guitar notes is contrasted by the tight punch of drums and bass while Al stitched dazzling vocal melodies into the graceful musical fabric to deliver a superb finale to his sensational third album. Across his three albums, he’s built an infectious sound world built on groove, emotion, musical sophistication and performance panache to share music that reminds you how good it feels to simply listen.

Listen to Summer End below