‘Champagne Taste’: Sunflower Bean’s Triumphant Revival Track

After a tumultuous few years, Sunflower Bean is back with a vengeance, and their latest single, “Champagne Taste”, delivers everything fans could hope for—and more. The fuzz-drenched anthem feels like a declaration of survival, giving us a glimpse into the gritty, self-reflective world of their upcoming album, Mortal Primetime.

From the first shredding riff, "Champagne Taste" hits like adrenaline. Julia Cumming’s vocal performance is both unhinged and magnetic, evoking shades of Iggy Pop and Patti Smith as she belts out lyrics rooted in struggle and resilience. The band describes this track as born out of "rock bottom," you can feel that rawness pulsing through every note.

The music video, directed by Isaac Roberts, complements the song’s energy with its frenetic visuals. The beautiful chaos matches the song's theme of pushing through adversity and refusing to back down. It’s a powerful reminder of Sunflower Bean’s ability to turn pain into art, something they’ve done consistently throughout their career.

The single also sets a bold tone for Mortal Primetime, which drops this April. As their first self-produced album, it represents a pivotal moment for the band. Recorded live to harness their visceral chemistry, the album explores themes of transformation, healing, and the fleeting nature of time—tracks like "Please Rewind" and "Nothing Romantic" promise to expand on these ideas. Caesar Edmunds and Sarah Tudzin’s mixing and engineering ensure a sonic depth that matches the emotional intensity.

What sets Mortal Primetime apart from previous releases is its fearlessness. The band leans into their differences—drawing on influences as varied as Belle, Sebastian, and Alice in Chains—to craft their most honest and unfiltered work yet. This is not just an album about surviving but thriving, with every note underscoring their hard-won belief in their art and each other.

Sunflower Bean’s Mortal Primetime is a testament to their journey, which nearly unravelled but ultimately brought them closer together. If “Champagne Taste” is any indication, this album will be a defining moment in their career—and in 2025’s music scene.