“SUNTWIST turns the uncertainty of growing up into something you can dance to, drive to, and sing along with.”
*Matchbox*, the first EP by the independent rock band SUNTWIST, has a familiar atmosphere about it, as if it were the background music for a time in life when all sorts of changes are taking place—college is coming to an end, friends are making arrangements, people are moving away, and as a result the future doesn’t appear as certain as it used to. Rather than making these emotions seem heavy, SUNTWIST offsets them with bright guitars, catchy melodies, and a great deal of energy.
The EP with five tracks gives a glimpse of the unusual period that lies between the person you once were and the person you are becoming; the songs deal with burnout, nostalgia, self-doubt, friendship, and the simple desire to enjoy the moment. Although the band’s music has a relaxed atmosphere there is always something beneath the surface, and you can detect the uncertainty in the way the songs are written even when the music sounds warm and cheerful. The name *Matchbox* is based on that sensation. When the members were getting ready to leave college and go in different directions, they compared the situation to watching one match after another go out. Although the image is simple, it conveys a great deal regarding the EP. It expresses a fear that the things which hold people together may one day vanish, while at the same time there is an acceptance that change is a part of growing up. The song “Stay High (Chasing Ghosts)” right from the start establishes a nostalgic atmosphere, whereas “Winded in the Moonlight” takes the music in a more dreamy direction. “Why Mind It?” has a more playful atmosphere, and “I Just Wanna Dance” overcomes all the overthinking with a clear wish to have a good time. There’s a pleasant aspect to such simplicity. Sometimes you don’t need to work out everything. Sometimes you only need to play a song and start moving. The song ‘Man I Wanna Be’ brings the EP nearer to its emotional core. It deals with self-perception and the pressure involved in trying to become the person that you believe you should be. This is in keeping with the main themes of *Matchbox*, where looking ahead can sometimes make it more difficult to notice where you are at the moment.
What is interesting about SUNTWIST is the way in which they have balanced their various influences with their own individuality. Although you can detect the influence of The Strokes, Djo, Tame Impala, Flipturn, and Arcy Drive, the *Matchbox* record doesn’t sound as if it’s just about copying those groups. Instead, the band uses those influences as a basis for creating something that is linked to their own experiences. SUNTWIST were formed in a dorm room in Phoenix in 2024 and have since established themselves within the city’s independent music scene by performing at a number of venues such as the Crescent Ballroom, Valley Bar, The Rebel Lounge, The Nile, and Last Exit Live. The fact that they have played live is evident in these songs since they seem designed to be played loudly with friends, heard from the passenger seat of a car, or shouted back by a small crowd. What *Matchbox* is really about is coming to terms with the idea that nothing remains exactly as it was; people move on, plans alter, and friendships change. The future may seem exciting on one day and terrifying on another. SUNTWIST doesn’t claim to have all the answers; rather, they turn this uncertainty into five lively songs which remind us that there is still a lot to enjoy as we are working out our lives. SUNTWIST make their debut with *Matchbox*, a record that is youthful, melodic and full of real feeling. The EP will be released on September 18, after which the band will celebrate its launch at the Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix and then perform at the M3F Music Festival in 2027.
English