Here’s the latest single from Canadian singer-songwriter Bob Sumner. Sumner’s smooth tones and vocal melodies are perfect for his country-flavoured Americana; his lilting voice is one of the most engaging around. On ‘Didn’t We Dream’ his voice is elevated by delicate harmony backing and carefully layered instrumentation. The accompanying video, shot and directed by Dana Bontempo, finds Sumner at the race track and the grainy quality of the footage creates the feel of memory and time, complementing his weary words: “Didn’t we dream? Every kind of beauty // In the Golden Fields you found me…Yes there were dreams, I swear we could taste them // Some of them we wasted, don’t time just slip away.”
Sumner’s music influences are broad and varied; his grandfather’s jazz guitar, his mother’s gospel songs and his brother’s adventurous experimentation as one half of the eclectic Sumner Brothers all add to Sumner’s sonic palette. He says: “My brother was obsessed with pushing boundaries,” and that aspiration shows in Sumner’s song-craft and the musical textures and weary narratives of his songs. Sumner’s debut, 2019’s ‘Wasted Love Songs’, was notable for its gorgeous balladry and sweet melancholy. For his brand new sophomore album, ‘Some Place to Rest Easy’, Sumner has emphasised more lively, upbeat rhythms and a new energy. However, the lyrics remain as sensitive as ever, highlighting emotionally resonant stories. He explains: “It felt appropriate to give the music itself some joy. I always want people to feel something. If I heard that this album helped somebody that was feeling down, even just by feeling some other emotion for a little while, that’s the number one thing for me.” ‘Some Place to Rest Easy’ is another accomplished piece of work – be sure to check it out.
