A Spacious and Gorgeous Instrumental Guitar Record from Sun Raven
- BuzzSlayers
- Aug 27, 2025
- 5 min read
A new EP release from Sun Raven recently dropped and this is a record that pulls the ground out from underneath your feet in the strangest but most delightful ways. The release is incredibly cinematic, has vast undertones, and brilliant melodies and performances that wrap themselves around you and as they do so, they create atmospheres that you get pulled into.
The soundscapes of the Explorations EP have a wonderful way of swimming around in the air that surrounds you. These songs create spacious moods and let your mind go free.
Listening to this record is almost like reading a good book. The tones, melodies, and performances come in, setting those moods, but your mind will go where it wants to. It will picture different things depending on who the listener is.
At times I found memories would pop into my head listening to certain tracks.
For each individual person, this record will be soaked in differently but it was a gorgeous release from start to finish.
This is an experimental record but is heavily based on guitar. It is instrumental but it is not without great use of effects and again, experimenting with sound sculpting to help create those atmospheres and aesthetics that the album builds.
Songs are flowing and beautiful, edgy, colorful, expansive, engulfing, and in the end of it all, you find you get washed away with everything.
The record kicks in with an amazing track called "Red Velvet Planet" which is one of the more experimental ones, especially when it comes to guitar effects. There are these massive layers of harmonizing automation and it really helps create a certain depth to the song and these thick layers as well.
There are several different guitar tracks on this and each one expresses something a little bit different. Some of this stuff makes me think of rock bands while other sections make me think of classical music.
There's so many influences that come into play throughout this record that it's kind of intense but peaceful in a strange sense.
Songs like 'Spirit With Wings"stand tall amongst the ones that I really enjoy because it has such a widened feel. It is vastly cinematic and not formulated like a standard song by any means. All of these tracks are meant to create those moods and have this outside the box, experimental, and inventive approach that creates those worlds around you.
This is a song that, in particular, felt emotionally bound. It felt Sullen in certain areas and I could taste that emotion as the song unfolded.
I found that quite beautiful. The way certain songs connect with you is almost like classical works.
This is part of the beauty of instrumental records in general but when it's done right, like this one is, you do find yourself drifting into it and as that happens you can feel the different emotions that the melodies and notes give off.
The performances are graceful. Sometimes they're a little heavier feeling, more like rock, but other times you get that flow. And those are the ones that invite you in to float alongside them.
It was almost ethereal, spiritual, and strangely nostalgic because, as I mentioned earlier, some of these songs cause memories to pop into my head.
That's something that doesn't always happen. I think it takes the right kind of texture or tone along with the songwriting to have that happen. And that's just how I was affected by it.
Again, every individual who listens to this record will soak it in differently than the next.
The beauty is in the moods and tones it sets so that you can be a part of them.
There's something strangely authentic about it all.
"Dreamscape" is another favorite of mine from the record simply because it showcases a pure-hearted love for the guitar.
It's not overridden with effects, it's a bit clean but does have reverb and this slight amp simulation style thing on it that makes it wet, however it's not too far in any direction. It sits just right, so you're really paying attention to the progressions, the notes, how everything is performed with this amazing technique and intricacy but also with heart.
Like I said, there's a lot of love for the instrument oozing from this record and it's just an excellent thing to take part in.
You can hear all these different genres of music flowing through the veins of this record laced with the influences that helped create the artist himself.
With such a well woven set of songs, we had to chat with Stephen Murray; the man behind the music, to find out more about where it all came from and what might be coming next.
Here's what happened.
Buzz Slayers: Hey Stephen and, thanks for taking some time with us! Let's talk a bit about the Explorations ! The record was vastly cinematic to me with gorgeous guitar work and lush soundscapes along with moods all over!! Where did this record come from?
Thank you so much! I've always been interested in solo instrument albums and what can be done with just the one instrument. My previous Sun Raven albums have been guitars, bass, drums and keyboard and lean more towards rock/metal. For this EP I wanted to do something more ambient and experimental, kind of like a modern classical acoustic guitar album but on electric guitar with effects.
Buzz Slayers: I am hearing some great styles here! Can you give us some of your biggest musical influences?
Everything from classical and jazz to rock and metal. Satie, John Coltrane, Keith Jarrett, Jeff Buckley, Muse, Jimi Hendrix, Swervedriver, Deftones, Masterdon (RIP Brent Hindes).
Buzz Slayers: How did this all start for you as an artist or even guitarist?
I've been playing guitar for about twenty years. I started with rock and then studied jazz at university. In 2021 I started the project Sun Raven and have put out two albums and this latest EP. I am almost finished writing another album and that should be out next year.
Buzz Slayers: Do you find it hard to write songs like this?
Not really but it has taken me twenty years to get to this point. Trying to find a balance between technique and atmosphere is the challenging thing.
Buzz Slayers: Do you track this at a home studio, or do you go to a big studio to record?
Home Studio with a pretty simple setup. I did everything myself.
Buzz Slayers: Is any of this improvised the spot?
"Spark" is improvised, all the other songs are composed.
Buzz Slayers: Do you play live shows at all?
I haven't for a while but I'm planning on doing some solo live performances in the future.
Buzz Slayers: Who is in your headphones right now?
Deftones - Private Music, Hania Rani - Esja, Andrew York - Denouement, Swervedriver - Mezcal Head.
Buzz Slayers: What kind of advice would you have for other artists getting their music out there?
It's difficult now because there are so many musicians online, it's hard to get heard. Expecally if you are an independent artist like myself and don't have lots of cash. Most important I think, is to create the music you like and want to hear. Then put it out there and see what happens.
Buzz Slayers: What can you say people might expect from this release?
It's instrumental guitar music that's not overly technical all the time and has more of a focus on the mood and atmosphere of the songs.
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