It’s always cool to see a band that makes their influences visible while putting their own spin on them. This is one of the many characteristics that separates the originators and progressors from the ripoffs and hacks. For the Providence power trio Sun Urchins, it’s apparent that guitarist and lead vocalist Em Timm, bassist and backing vocalist Tyler Bisson and drummer Andrew Knox are fans of ‘80s and ‘90s indie and alternative rock. This comes through in their sophomore EP “Glow In The Dark”, which was released via Toy Camera Records on April 4. While possessing an amplified edge, the lyrics and arrangements give off upbeat vibes that are adorned with interweaving harmonies.

After having a fast paced process with their debut EP that came out in 2022, Sun Urchins decided to take their time with the new release while working with a producer. This was something Timm hadn’t done before, but she enjoyed the experience and the band is pleased with the result.

“We’d been a band for a few years when we decided it was time to record another album,” she said about the making of “Glow In The Dark”. “Our second EP is a collection of seven songs that I brought to the band as demos and then with Tyler and Andy we arranged different parts, fleshed them out, and they got closer to their final form. Our first EP, ‘Personal Shell’, was recorded in a single whirlwind weekend at our friend’s studio in upstate New York. This time around, we yearned for a more leisurely pace, and with Tyler’s skills as a recording engineer, we took several weeks to record the album from home, bit by bit. All the recording gear took over the house for a while, but it was well worth it to be able to take our time.”

“Clover Nahabedian of the band Cheap City was enlisted as our producer,” Timm adds. “It was my first time working with a producer, and it was truly great to have someone coming up with ideas and suggestions for recording, keeping us on track, and being smart and encouraging. She also played keys on a bunch of the songs. In true DIY spirit, we did it all ourselves with the recording, the production and the album art. Thanks to Tyler’s lathe cut recording business, Audio Geography, we were able to wrap on recording, master the album, and start making records in two weeks flat.”

While Timm didn’t initially have a topical thread in mind while writing the tunes for “Glow In The Dark”, she eventually discovered that the majority of the songs centered on raising the spirits of her community. With these uncertain times we’re living in, her aspiration is for the listener to connect to the record in that way and in turn, uplift the folks they surround themselves with.

“I didn’t set out to write a concept album, or even a collection of songs with a common theme, but I realized after we recorded that a lot of the songs on ‘Glow In The Dark’ are about lifting up the people around me,” she said. “I hope this album can do that for anyone who listens. Other themes include existential dread and having big feelings, both good and bad. This is an album for empaths who need songs to blast while driving into the setting sun on I-95. It’s for anxious introverts who feel weird being in public, and it’s for those of us who have hope for the future but know it’s not going to look anything like the world we know.”

“Are you allowed to have crushes during the apocalypse? We say yes,” Timm adds. “It’s about how, with work, pain can make your spirit stronger and make it unbreakable. Overall, it’s an evolution from our first album. We have gelled more as a band after playing together for a few years, and I think that’s reflected in these songs.”

My personal highlights off of “Glow In The Dark” include “Invitation”, “Lullaby” and “Fake Smile”, but I suggest listening to the EP all the way through. To do exactly that, log onto Sun Urchins’ Bandcamp page at sunurchins.bandcamp.com and give it a stream while also purchasing the record for your digital music library. To keep tabs on the band in terms of shows, future releases and everything else, follow them on Instagram at instagram.com/sun_urchins.