Track Review: John Ellwand // Under The Weight Of The Sun

Hailing from Liverpool, the UK-based musician John Ellwand took up his instruments and started to pursue a solo career in April 2020. Influenced by Tame Impala, The Beatles, Queens of the Stone Age and David Bowie, Ellwand’s music is a melding of 60s jangle-pop, alternative rock and that very distinct British indie-rock sound. Despite being a new act on the UK indie scene, the David Bowie-esque singer-songwriter has received coverage from BBC Introducing and The Other Side Reviews. The latest addition to his repertoire is ‘Under The Weight Of The Sun’.

“‘Under The Weight Of The Sun’ is a song of loyalty and appreciation for your life partner with elements of romance which I think a lot of people can relate to. I like to think it’s a feel-good tune, bit of a rocker.” – John Ellwand on ‘Under The Weight Of The Sun’

Recorded entirely from his home studio in Wirral, ‘Under The Weight Of The Sun’ is a powerful single with pinches of alternative, indie and modern hard rock in the mix. Touching on personal relationships and romance, the track can be considered a rock ‘n’ roll love song – emphasis on the rock.

Lyrically, it is an endearing single, but I think the real selling point is Ellwand’s gruff vocals. A combination of guitar-driven instrumentation with pounding drums and bold vocals makes ‘Under The Weight Of The Sun’ catchy, genuine and completely captivating.