Sunglasz Vendor have a new single out and it’s one of the more distinct-sounding rock tracks to emerge from Bristol in recent memory. “Was On Fire” is available now, a lopsided, stop-start crawl through romantic solitude and unrequited despair, opening with harsh mechanical screeching before lurching into something rawer and more anthemic.
Singer and guitarist Rafi Cohen is the emotional center of the track, slowly unpacking loneliness through sardonic wordplay and bleak imagery. His delivery is measured and deliberate, making the cacophonous build toward the coda land with real force. “It documents the feeling of being past it,” Cohen says, “like the best is behind you and the only way is down.” That kind of unflinching self-assessment gives the song its unsettling edge.
Recorded with producer Joseph Futak (Piglet, Tapir!, Aga Ujma) in Hither Green, “Was On Fire” marks the second single from these sessions, following “I’ll Do To You Yourself,” which earned support from BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing, and Radiotrails. The band’s debut album ‘Unwinding’ drew airplay from BBC 6 Music, Apple Music 1, and KEXP, alongside strong press across the UK and beyond.
Formed in 2023 from members of Bristol’s avant-garde scene, Sunglasz Vendor pull from emo, rock radio hooks, and free-form experimentation in equal measure. Their live sets have earned them opening slots for Squid, The Breeders, and Water From Your Eyes, among others. “Was On Fire” makes a strong case for what comes next.