New Music: When In Rome – Don’t Stare at the Sun

Nearly 40 years after their iconic single The Promise, synthpop duo When In Rome show they still have that magic pop touch.

While original members Andrew Mann and Clive Farrington may refer to their era-defining synthpop soundscapes of the 80s on Don’t Stare at the Sun, they also reveal that they have new things for us to absorb and enjoy.

An early insight into When In Rome’s Illumination album, it retains much of the contribution that their instinctual way with synth-pop melodies and new wave influences helped them to create such an impact in the US. There’s also a confidence that allows them to successfully draw from rock and indie-dance and parlay it into an intimate yet expansive approach to a track that could fill stadiums and souls with ease in the current day.  

“Don’t Stare at the Sun was written, as was most of Illumination, during the lockdown period, so it reflects a lot of people’s actions and thoughts at the time,” explains Andrew Mann. “I can remember hearing a man from the World Health Organization warning the public about the sun and not to look at it. It all seemed pretty scary and ridiculous to us at the time, and that triggered us into writing the song.”

You can hear Don’t Stare at the Sun and more music from When In Rome on Apple Music and Spotify. For updates on Illumination and all the latest news from the band, follow them on their Facebook and Instagram socials.