What makes The Sun Is Often Out by Longpigs notable?

This album received critical acclaim, particularly for its melodic craftsmanship and lyrical depth, helping to solidify Longpigs' place in the Britpop movement. The single 'She Said' gained significant radio play, contributing to the band's recognition during a pivotal time for British indie music. The Sun Is Often Out marks Longpigs' debut album, released in early 1996 following their formation in 1994. At this point in their career, they were establishing themselves within the burgeoning Britpop scene, sharing stages with contemporaries like Pulp and Blur.

How many songs are on The Sun Is Often Out?

The Sun Is Often Out has 12 tracks, running approximately 63 minutes.

Released 30 years ago

The Sun Is Often Out

Longpigs · 1996

63 min · 12 tracks · indie rock

A blend of jangly guitars and introspective lyrics that encapsulate the bittersweet essence of 90s indie rock.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
She Said — As one of the standout singles, 'She Said' showcases a catchy chorus and clever songwriting that epitomizes the band's blend of humor and heartache.
→
Lost Myself — 'Lost Myself' opens the album with an energetic drive, perfectly setting the tone and highlighting the band's knack for infectious melodies.
→
Happy Again — This track features reflective lyrics set against an upbeat sound, illustrating the band's ability to juxtapose joy with introspection.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong melodies and introspective lyrics typical of its era but lacks a cohesive flow throughout.

What we noticed

The first half of the album maintains an upbeat tempo with jangly guitars, while the second half shifts to more introspective and slower tracks.
Several songs feature layered guitar harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in 'She Said' and 'Happy Again'.
Lyrically, the album explores themes of longing and disillusionment, often using vivid imagery and personal reflections.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Happy Again

The verse shifts from a light-hearted tone to a more contemplative reflection on life's ups and downs.

This transition enhances the emotional impact, contrasting carefree imagery with deeper existential musings.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Lost Myself 5:04
2 She Said 4:24
3 Far 3:46
4 On and On 4:10
5 Happy Again 4:17
6 All Hype 3:23
7 Sally Dances 3:44
8 Jesus Christ 4:00
9 Dozen Wicked Words 4:58
10 Elvis 4:22
11 Over Our Bodies 17:00
12 Sleep 4:10

What to play next

Listen next

Mobile Home

1999

Full Longpigs discography Artists like Longpigs

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata