Chicago’s Outrun the Sunlight continue to refine their complex yet highly listenable brand of knotty, instrumental progressive metal on their new single “HEATHAZE”. The song’s title and the cover art’s gradient of purples, blacks and blues suggest a hazy, electric mood, which the track fully delivers. It’s vibrant, affable, torrid; it feels synthwave-y in a way too. The band’s dynamic is palpable; this feels like a song crafted by friends who share a creative wavelength, layering skill and warmth into each note.
While associated with various post- scenes, Outrun the Sunlight diverge from genre expectations here, replacing aggression with a nuanced, almost jazz-like sensibility. Their approach is refreshingly restrained—tight, deliberate, and under five minutes. Instead of indulging in sprawling solos (although “HEATHAZE” includes them too), they weave brief yet punchy melodic moments, where each element is tightly controlled yet rich with texture.
There are moments through “HEATHAZE” which are decidedly outside of habitual territory: the drums at times pulse with an almost danceable rhythm, while the guitars step back to allow the glitchy synths to lead. That said, guitars remain the backbone of Outrun the Sunlight’s sound, grounding the song with riff-driven structures that serve as the foundation for their layered, melodic solos.
With their newest single, Outrun the Sunlight manage to sound familiar and accessible while remaining completely unique, in addition to expanding their sound.
Outrun the Sunlight diverge from genre expectations here, replacing aggression with a nuanced, almost jazz-like sensibility. Their approach is refreshingly restrained—tight, deliberate, and under five minutes.
