Philip Saint John's "Sun Indigo" Review
Fire spitting from the rooftops touches the hazy overcast, shining an indigo light in Philip Saint John’s newest release.
“Sun Indigo” hosts a busy symphony of soft, warm melodies alongside a crisp-as-summer-rain vocal performance from Philip Saint John. One of the four corners of the supergroup PACT, Philip Saint John takes from influences that span multiple decades and genres. Jason Faye conducts pearlescent production as every individual instrument making an appearance feels authentic—hitting like they were being played right in front of you.
Through 22 minutes, Philip Saint John shares the hue of his light:
Right under the indigo sun.
Sun Indigo
“Sun Indigo” starts when Philip Saint John pulls himself out of the ash and rubble shrouding his well-being from the previous year. Living near Floyd Square, Philip Saint John saw the turmoil from his backyard after the murder of George Floyd. This opening track encapsulates the re-building of the self and the community. With blues-flavored piano riffs sitting on top of a robust bass, Philip Saint John professes a need for space to build back his self. Between the loss of loved ones and the severance of community looms a cloud of this loss and despair, but Philip Saint John gives a hint of optimism at the end of the track.
“Hate don’t drive hate out like love do.”
Release Your Inner Child
“Where We At Now” is the bubbly feel-good tune. The music video features another corner of PACT in Mama Rose and her playful kids. This song is as bright as sunshine with PSJ reaching for the catchy summertime jam in the chorus and grabs it comfortably.
Cloudy Days are Beautiful Too
“Beautiful Day” is anchored by a distinguishing guitar loop as Philip Saint John delivers a dose of self-love. PSJ pulls himself out of the rut he’s been stuck in, and he doesn’t need a sunny day to do so.
Even on a stormy day, you can still keep reaching for the stars.
“I look outside and even when there’s a storm—I say:
Oh, what a beautiful day.”
Lonesome Solace
“I Wanna Be Your Friend” projects a moment of grieving and distance intertwined with peace.
Heartbroken lost souls are stuck reminiscing on the past while they look ahead through their windowpane, and PSJ gives them all something to associate with that feeling. With the notable influence of pop flavors spanning multiple decades, PSJ gives a vocal performance expressing his desire for the intimacy of friendship.
“I want to leave with a heart more alive than dead.”
“New Pavement // You Say” piggybacks off of “IWBYF” in terms of emotion but flips the sound to a different flavor. With a slick but bubbly instrumental, PSJ speaks on taking new steps upon the fresh lain pavement as its rain-soaked lines reflect the future and all the uncertainty within it.
This cautious optimism isn’t the only mood to name this track home. Deeply dark piano notes creep in with a softly wailing guitar riding alongside it. PSJ sings a hauntingly beautiful ballad which is one of my favorite moments on the album. This pair of songs are my favorite on the project. They strike a chord within while you sing along. These two tracks contrast each other and complement each other at the same time.
Faith as Bright as Indigo
In the piano looping, boom-bapping outro track “Faith,” PSJ looks towards the future as he finally finds acceptance within his community and within himself.
The love he embraces carves out the path he will continue to walk after this project meets its end.
“If you step on new pavement/
Then the ground is bound to break.”
The sun sets on this project with the indigo shade still clinging to anything it can. “Sun Indigo” resonates even after it reaches its end. Phillip Saint John gives an incredibly polished performance with top-tier production from Jason Faye. I have a feeling this won’t be the last time I’ll write about this project this year.
Listen to “Sun Indigo” on Spotify or wherever you stream your music:
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Review by: Paul Thorson, Hip-Hop Writer @PaulyT03
Edited by: Eric Martin, Writer/Assistant Editor @eamartin95