The Sugarfix – ‘Gonna Be Alright’

In more recent years, Sydney-based Darren Phillips and long-time collaborator Dan Skeed have continued to progress this Australian musical legacy through bands such as the Darren Phillips Project, as well as being the driving forces and songwriters with multi-national melodic rockers East Temple Avenue, who released one the best melodic rock albums of 2020 with ‘Both Sides of Midnight’. Melodic rock is ingrained in Darren and Dan’s blood and DNA. But sometimes, artists have to stretch out a bit and push their creative juices in another direction, trying something that’s new and fresh for them and their fans… and that’s exactly what the duo plan to do with their new project The Sugarfix.

Joining forces with vocalist Jase Old (The Radio Sun/Starchase), Darren and Dan created The Sugarfix as a vehicle to explore more traditional rock music, inspired by rock greats such as Bryan Adams, the golden voice of Foreigner’s Lou Gramm and ‘newer’ voices in the genre such as Chris Daughtry. They also promise a nod to Australian pop-rock royalty John Farnham, famous for the epic song ‘You’re the Voice’ (which I know you’re now singing in your head!). A much-anticipated debut album will be forthcoming but meantime, The Sugarfix release first single ‘Gonna Be Alright’ on 25th August 2023. Will it cause blood-sugar levels to rise?

Coming out of the traps, the first 10 seconds are incredibly atmospheric, with a soft, steady Chariots of Fire-style bassline briefly setting the pace before making way for a layer of synths. Jase Old’s voice is introduced along with a catchy hard rock guitar riff, with drums joining the bass to help keep the steady driving rhythm that quickly establishes itself as the heartbeat of the verse. Through headphones (or played loudly through speakers!), you can literally feel the verse building up as Old tells of “the last time that I saw you”. The senses feel a big sing-along chorus incoming… and that’s exactly what happens!

The chorus crashes through the verse and into the song like a ray of sunshine bursting through dark clouds. As Old’s silky-smooth, yet reassuringly rock-ready voice sings “We’re gonna be alright”, you’ll struggle to avoid joining in, such is its catchy sing-along sensibility. It drips of positivity and you’ll really believe that no matter what, we’re gonna be alright!

“We won’t get far if we’re both looking over our shoulder”; never a truer phrase said as the guitar riff takes the song into the second verse, which is the same as the first but with extra drive and muscle in the drums, bass and guitar. There’s a bridge section based around the catchy guitar-riff heard throughout the song but undoubtedly, it’s the ultra-melodic chorus that’s the musical glue holding the song together.

There’s no shredding guitar solo in ‘Gonna Be Alright’. In fact, there’s no instrumental solo of any kind. This song pretty much goes back to the very basics of rock music, where the song is bigger than the individual. ‘Gonna Be Alright’ is about the riff, the rhythm, the voice and the story told by the lyrics.

Many years ago, I either watched a documentary or read an article (I can’t remember which) where a professor in music, a neurologist and a psychologist dissected some of the greatest songs of all time and analysed why the human mind and soul love them so much. The overwhelming consensus was that the chorus was one of the most important parts of any song. It had to be catchy, melodic, memorable and lyrically, had to have broad appeal. I don’t know whether Darren, Dan or Jase have seen the same documentary or article but it’s quite clear that they understand the importance of a good chorus. The chorus is often the part of the song that you’ll hear being hummed or sang in workplaces, trains, buses and shops. It’s often the soul of the song and that’s exactly what it is in ‘Gonna Be Alright’. It’s simple but sublime.

As the UK sees out the dying embers of a dreadfully wet summer and people start to contemplate the upcoming autumn and winter, Australia is fast approaching the spring and then summer. It’s difficult to imagine this song being played in an open-top car on a beautiful sunny day whilst driving on a coastal highway when the weather outside is frightfully un-summer like. But that’s exactly what this song is made for. If there’s any justice in this musical world, ‘Gonna Be Alright’ will be embraced in Australia and will become an essential soundtrack to the summer, played at barbecues, clubs, stadiums and of course in open top cars on coastal highways! As for the rest of in the UK and Europe, give it a spin and use it to brighten up darker days. It’s ‘The Sugarfix’ we all need!