Sugar Ray – Sugar Ray

Review

Sugar Ray's fourth studio album is a sunny, upbeat journey into the realm of polished pop-rock, a stark departure from their previous genre-bending endeavors. The band wholeheartedly embraces a more refined sound, with guitar, bass, and drums taking center stage, crafting songs that are both catchy and contemplative. The lead single, "When It’s Over," is a testament to their new direction, exuding a laid-back, infectious energy that's hard to resist, though at times the album treads the line of thematic familiarity.

Production-wise, the collaboration between Don Gilmore, David Kahne, and Ralph Sall lends the album a sharp, contemporary edge, ensuring every note is delivered with precision. While a few tracks might miss the quirky charm that made their earlier work so memorable, the album as a whole stands as a testament to Sugar Ray's successful transition into a more mature, adult-alternative sound. It's an album that feels like a warm, breezy day at the beach, capturing the essence of summer with its straightforward, melodic hooks. - Courtney