NEW ARTIST FINDS: JUNK SON

New artist John Dunk is the mastermind behind the ambient dark pop band, JUNK SON, and we here at BitCandy are totally obsessed with their debut EP, Eyes Shut. The London-based artist studied classical music at the famous Goldsmith College which was the breeding ground for bands and artists like Blur and Aquilo, making it no surprise that this guy knows what he’s doing. Dunk leads the 5-piece band through hazy dreamlike electronics while bandmate Amy Spencer provides her ghostly smoky vocals. For fans of bands like Massive Attack, Zero 7, or Portishead, you’ll totally want to read on to discover the soothing sounds of JUNK SON.

JUNK SON - TRUE

“True” is a slow-building whirlwind that begins with tribal rhythms and menacing guitar licks to set the chilling tone. Amy’s haunting vocals draw you in to the track as slowly soaring synths and goosebump-inducing production gives the brooding pop track some fashionable edge.

JUNK SON - OVER

“Over” shows a more ambient side of the band, as it kicks off with nature-filled atmospherics and ghostly “ahh’s.” Just before the 1:00 mark a bubbling airy beat and fuzzy, warped-out electronics kick in to give the track an unexpectedly uplifting mood. Things really pick up after the 2:20 mark as scattered claps, booming and ominous bass-synths, and Amy’s croon leave you completely captivated. It’s a wonderfully dreamy 3 and a half minutes that you’ll keep wanting to back to.

JUNK SON - EYES SHUT

Serving as the EP’s title track comes the sultry slow-grooving lullaby, “Eyes Shut.” Skittering beats, futuristic electronics, subtle chimes, and spacey atmospherics create a slight Radiohead-ish vibe that I totally love. Distant echoing guitar comes in just past the half-way mark to add the perfect mystical touch to the already endearingly eerie vibe, before delicate snaps come to top things off. Just when you think it’s almost over, sparkling keys dance their way in just in time to end the track, before it takes you back to its nature-based beginning.

Show JUNK SON some love by liking their Facebook page, and stream their Eyes Shut EP here.

Want even more awesome new bands like this in your life? Then head on over here for more BitCandy-approved new music!

About Erin Crider

Erin Crider eats, breathes, and sleeps pop culture. If you have a question about a one-hit wonder from the ‘90s or need help remembering lines from a SNL skit, she’s your girl. When she isn’t lurking the internet, she's either going to a show or hanging out at Disneyland. Erin lives in Southern California and has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Cal State Long Beach.