As soon as I heard the snare drum in the explosive “Overexposure,” I knew I was in love Sick Day’s new “Overexposure” EP. From the dynamic and powerful title track, to the folk-rocky and a bit manic closer, “Quiet Kinda Love,” Sick Day’s debut with Substitute Scene Records is a testament to the excellency of the Chicago scene.
Sick Day, led by Singer-Songwriter Olivia Wallace, has been around since 2020 or so, starting strong with 2020’s excellent EP “Sleeping In The Dark.” This is about a year before I got a chance to see them at Exferimentation Brewery in Pontiac in October 2021. Honestly, they are one of the bands that jumpstarted my passion for writing about music, and I’ve written about them quite a few times since, reviewing a few singles on HI 5 as well as well as 2022’s “Love Is A State of Mind.” Their brand of indie rock is full of folky guitar, vulnerable vocals and poetic lyricism.
There is a really strong energy to this EP, making the choice to record live in Chicago an obviously good one. Overexposure is heavier, and in some ways simpler than Sick Day’s previous work, which provides a grungy, almost punk rock feeling of authenticity and focus on the core of tracks. That’s not to say this album feels anything close to one note though; because every track feels distinct and consequential. The title track “Overexposure” is my personal favorite with it’s wall of sound crunchy guitars, deep bass, explosive drumming and steady vocals.
I am so, so excited to see where Sick Day’s future leads them. Very rarely does a bands new release become my favorite so quickly, but there is something powerful and real at the core “Overexposure” that stands above Sick Day’s already phenomenal catalogue. “Overexposure” releases March 14th via Substitute Scene Records.
All songs written by Olivia Wallace
Lead Guitar: Ryan Donlin
Bass: Jen Ashley
Drums: Robby Kuntz
Guitar & vocals: Olivia Wallace
Recorded at Jamdek with Keif Douglas
Vocals recorded with Ryan Donlin & Danny Robles
Mixed by Henry Stoehr
Mastered by Brian Zieske
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P.S. I recently released my 2nd book “The End & Other Things,” which is a vaguely psychedelic horror themed short story and poetry collection. I’d love if you checked it out!
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