Sun Room – Ritual of Chaos EP Review
BY EMMALEE SULLIVAN
Sun Room has established themselves as surfers by day and rock stars by night, crafting a sound that can make even someone stuck in the freezing snow of January feel the warmth of a Southern California beach. Known for their loud, upbeat, mosh-worthy tracks, the band has stayed relatively consistent over time—but their new EP Ritual of Chaos builds on that energy while experimenting with fresh ideas, including the band’s first acoustic track.
JACKKNIFE
The opening track, “Jackknife,” kicks off with what almost feels like an EDM beat drop before twisting into a wall of electric guitar. After the initial buildup, the riff pivots completely into an upbeat, rocking groove. The chaotic shift in sound gives the track an edge, reminiscent of Bob Dylan's controversial electric performance of “Maggie's Farm” at the Newport Folk Festival—rebellious, electric, and unforgettable. The song reasserts Sun Room’s strength: making you feel like you're surfing through sound alone. It embodies the EP’s title with sharp shifts in tone and scream-worthy lyrics. Frontman Luke Asgian punctuates the verses with rapid-fire repetitions of “yeah yeah yeah” and “no no no,” amplifying the high-speed, high-energy chaos.
PHOTO BY ADAM RIDING
SHE’LL MOVE TO LONDON
“She’ll Move to London,” the second single, opens with sharp, sudden guitar riffs—almost more like an alarm than a song. Somehow, before a single lyric is sung, you already feel the tension. The song centers on a strained relationship with a woman who moves at her own pace, seemingly impulsive and unaware of the narrator’s perspective. Luke expresses frustration early on with the lyric, “What’s the point of this?” before slumping into resignation during the chorus with a near-sigh: “She’ll move to London.” In the final verse, we learn more about the disconnect—she’s grown up privileged, with options her entire life, while he has not. That gap, both emotional and circumstantial, makes it hard for him to voice his hurt. Still, the song closes on a flicker of hope: “I’ll try to catch up with her one day,” suggesting a wish for understanding and reconciliation.
OSLO, PARIS, LA
A teaser for this track was released in February via a TikTok captioned “Our first acoustic song,” and it left fans (myself included) begging for more. “Oslo, Paris, LA” isn’t just a departure from their usual garage rock—it’s a beautiful showcase of vocal harmony between Luke and bassist Max Pinamonti. Their duet on the line, “When you’re sleeping baby, I’m just up. And now you're in Paris girl and I’m out of luck,” is heart-wrenching and memorable, feeling like a brand-new vocal texture for the band. The track is soaked in yearning. Picture a crisp morning on a dock or a mountain overlook—beautiful, peaceful, but aching with the absence of someone you love. Arguably the best song on the EP, this track hints at Sun Room’s untapped emotional range and musical versatility.
PHOTO BY KADEN MORRIS
ON FIRE
Following songs about disconnection and distance, “On Fire” flips the mood and celebrates the rush of being in love. Lyrics like “Everywhere is where I want to be” and “I want your love tonight, we’re on fire” capture that all-consuming desire to share everything with someone. It’s classic Sun Room energy—fun and fast—but with an added romantic dimension. The title of the EP appears here, too: “Ritual of chaos, every single night through the city just to see those eyes.” This song contrasts with “She’ll Move to London,” showing that the same chaotic relationship can bring joy as well as frustration. It’s not about perfect balance—it’s about embracing the mess.
PHOTO BY NICO GEYER
DON’T CAUSE A RIOT
“Don’t Cause a Riot” fully embodies the EP’s name. The guitar licks and lyrics conjure a night spiraling out of control, with lines like “the glass breaks loud” and “kick me out from the same blank stares and the same old crowd.” The chaos here isn’t just external—it’s a rebellion against routine and sameness. The lyrics “flip your coin if you can” and “do they dance? No no no” hint at the fear of taking risks, calling out those too scared to step outside their comfort zones. The title feels like a dare to break free from stillness—to cause a riot and disrupt your own life.
THE NIGHTS NOT OVER
The final track, “The Night’s Not Over,” wraps the EP perfectly. It picks up where “Don’t Cause a Riot” left off, embracing spontaneity and joy. Lyrics like “flip a coin and whisper my place” suggest a shared adventurous spirit, unlike the hesitant coin toss in the previous song. References to earlier tracks reappear: “one call to Europe, our hearts just burn up like a fire” recalls the flame still alive in “On Fire” and the long-distance love in “She’ll Move to London.” The track builds in energy until it peaks, mimicking the adrenaline of loving someone spontaneous, even if they drive you crazy. The closing line, “missing cabs they go to nowhere,” leaves us right where we began—in the middle of chaos.
PHOTO BY KADEN MORRIS
So what is Sun Room’s Ritual of Chaos?
It’s love. Chaotic, thrilling, messy, frustrating, and irreplaceable love. The EP captures all sides of a relationship—from the giddy highs to the empty lows—and it does so with a surprising range of sound and songwriting. Listening from start to finish is essential to catch the emotional arc and narrative that culminates in “The Night’s Not Over.”
Sun Room has always been great at making you feel like you’re dancing barefoot on the beach, but this EP proves they’re also capable of making you feel the ache of missing someone, the thrill of risk, and the chaos of care. Ritual of Chaos is a bold step forward—and it pays off.
You won’t want to miss seeing this EP live this fall, check out the dates and attend a show near you! But be careful, you may fall in love and move to London.
SUN ROOM – THE JACKKNIFE TOUR
*Supporting flipturn
8/6/2025 - Missoula, MT - The Wilma
*
8/7/2025 - Boise, ID - Treefort Music Hall
*
8/11/2025 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
*
8/14/2025 - Sacramento, CA - Channel 24
*
8/15/2025 - San Luis Obispo, CA - Fremont Theater
*
8/16/2025 - Pomona, CA Fox - Pomona
*
8/17/2025 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
*
9/26/2025 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall Upstairs
9/27/2025 - Austin, TX - Scoot Inn
9/28/2025 - Dallas, TX - Deep Ellum Art Co.
9/30/2025 - Ft. Collins, CO - Aggie Theatre
10/1/2025 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
10/2/2025 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre
10/4/2025 - Salt Lake City, UT - The CommonWealth Room
10/17/2025 - Saint Paul, MN - Amsterdam Bar And Hall
10/18/2025 - Chicago, IL - The Bottom Lounge
10/20/2025 - Detroit, MI - El Club
10/21/2025 - Toronto, ON - The Velvet Underground
10/23/2025 - Boston, MA - The Sinclair
10/24/2025 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
10/25/2025 - Philadelphia, PA - The Foundry at The Fillmore
10/26/2025 - Washington, DC - The Atlantis
10/28/2025 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
10/29/2025 - Charlotte, NC - Amos' Southend
10/31/2025 - Charleston, SC - Music Farm
11/1/2025 - Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits
11/2/2025 - Orlando, FL - The Social
11/4/2025 - Tampa, FL - Crowbar
11/5/2025 - Gainesville, FL - The Wooly
11/7/2025 - Atlanta, GA - Aisle 5
11/8/2025 - Nashville, TN - The Blue Room at Third Man Records
