Here’s to making your stage debut, Sanny Veloo! There is no greater pleasure than introducing an artist with such a profound spirit and a rich body of work. Sanny comes to us from Singapore but calls Melbourne home, and he has forged a compelling story of defiance, toughness, and triumph through a rebirth in his fearless Australian rock. His music isn’t just something to listen to; it takes your hand and establishes a human connection. With the release of his outstanding nine-track album “I’ve Got You My Friend” on November 25th, not only did he present a new album, but also provided an example of how storytelling in the modern day should be done; from the sarcastic warnings to the heartbreaking songs about love and loss, we have been granted an album that is filled with life, electric guitar, and emotional depth. Come sit down and let’s explore Sanny Veloo’s artistry.
The record begins with “I Don’t Believe The Truth”, where instead of a subtle fade-in there is an organic meditation on Earth using a traditional harmonium and tabla drums prior to the aggressive ripping of the guitar and the sudden introduction of the rock rhythm. As far as lyrics go, the song can be considered a satire of the current world and all its problems, including the prediction of one’s thoughts by algorithms, obnoxious neighbors in one’s apartment building, and environmental apocalypse. The character in the song dabbles in cynicism and is suspicious about everything because of how much or how long he has been fed with lies. The vocal performance of the singer in this song is rather cynical and includes spoken words delivered with a dry tone, while the band employs alternative-rock rhythm guitars and steady mid-tempo drums.
Transitioning into smooth waters, “This Lovely Lie” begins with the lonely plucking of a clear electric guitar playing a roaring melody and an upbeat, circular arpeggio, letting each note ring through the space for several measures before a gentle muted kick drum establishes the beat. The song explores the inner conflict of cognitive dissonance within love relationships, highlighting the messy truth of deliberately remaining in a dysfunctional relationship because the passionate chemistry is easier to deal with than harsh realities. Our character ticks off how bad this lady is, but he’s completely hypnotized. Here, Veloo switches to a silkier vocal performance with a notable raspiness in the higher register, supported by a sonic landscape that builds into a thick wall of indie-pop guitars. This taps into the soul-searching experience of examining your own romantic mistakes and compromises in the past.
“A Brighter Tomorrow” immediately starts with the vocal performance and then sets off in a blaze of glory with an immense power chord hit and an explosive snare drum fill right from the get-go, immersing the listener in a blaze of glory from the first beat. The song delivers a message that is very much needed: a world where love reigns. A utopia of tolerance, acceptance, and unity. The song charges us with the popular phrase, encouraging us to be the change we want to see so that we and the people who come after us can have a brighter future/tomorrow. The vocals are passionate, powerful, and anthemic, supported by the backing harmonies which add layers of power to the chorus while the rich bass lines and driving rhythms fuel the rock-solid foundation of heartland rock.
Returning to the interpersonal sphere, “Warning Signs” opens with an unrefined clattering sound of drumsticks playing rhythm in the studio room, immediately succeeded by the syncopated guitar melody that drips with cockiness. The lyrical content is a humorous retrospective account of a romantic relationship gone sour, looking back at the hilarious moments when all of the obvious warning signs were being overlooked in sheer passion. This character tells us all his relationship woes. He meets a woman on a dating app, and things seem to be going well despite the fact that she was a walking red flag. Veloo employs a light and conversational tone in the lyrics, incorporating wit in the form of irony into his language while the precise bass lines, rhythm, and guitar solos drive the melody.
This song, “Love Has Set You Free”, marks a shift towards the more somber side of the album, starting with the bare-minimum arrangement of a weeping, finger-picked acoustic guitar accompanied by a mournful-sounding organ that creates an atmosphere of impending doom. The lyrics address the pain of losing someone important and the struggle that comes with accepting the loss, realizing that this person is no longer around. This song is the most emotionally raw of all songs on the album, as the artist struggles to contain his emotions and sings passionately until reaching a climax that rises above the restrained instrumentation featuring delicate use of strings.
From the large-scale sorrow to the personal tribute within the family context, “Dear Rani” opens with heavenly mouth percussion and subtle acoustic guitar strumming that is seamlessly accompanied by organic string slides that help create an image of intimacy, strength, and heritage that can be felt within one’s family setting. In the form of a direct letter to a loved one, the lyrics focus on the issues of sacrifice, the sanctuary of a person, and invisible connections between the generations that help hold people together through tough times, saying that love will lead the way. Veloo sings with a whisper that seems to come directly from one’s heart, while the music is warm and organic, utilizing harmonies and acoustic elements.
The song “Before It’s Gone” features a strange cinematic atmosphere, which features a suspended mid-tempo guitar chord. The concept of the song is based on the surreal depiction of the themes of survival, point of view, and death by reflecting on the transient and fragile nature of life and sudden insight gained by hearing nothing but silence all of a sudden. The vocal delivery of the song is strange and detached yet very captivating as it is performed against the background of a slowly unfolding atmospheric rock composition with loud distorted guitar sounds.
At the dawn of the end of the trip, “Sunset Skies” comes with a lovely guitar sound that is warm like the sun and a slow, leisurely hit of snare drum percussion that reminds one of the light of late afternoon shining on a horizon. The lyrics are all about a glorious human connection where you just lose all sense of time, and everything becomes still because you are rooted to the earth by someone wonderful. Veloo’s voice radiates happiness in the easy, carefree tone of “Sunset Skies,” where he has stripped off the cynicism that permeated some of the songs before and is now singing in a happy, romantic tune supported by sparkling chords and a driving rhythm section.
The closing track on the record is the strong title track “I’ve Got You My Friend,” and it starts with a beautiful and comforting electric guitar that plays by itself for a couple of measures before the organ and soft hum of backing vocals appear slowly. It is the theme for the thesis statement of the whole record, and it promises mateship, loyalty, and standing up with your friends against everything that tries to tear them down. Veloo’s vocals on the track are resolute, soulful, and wise, and it feels more like a talk from your brother than a song. The track transforms into an impressive rock song with soaring lead guitars and the unified voice of the choir as it reaches its climax.
The stunning debut by Sanny Veloo titled “I’ve Got You My Friend” comes as more than just a series of tunes. This album is part of an amazing creative journey in which the performer weaves an exquisite transition between raw sensitivity and classic rock. With the drop of the first needle, Veloo takes us into a listening sanctuary with a solid foundation of alternative rock infused with pop, soaring and powerful guitar melodies, and lyrics that dive into the bottomless depth of human honesty, fiery passion, painful loss, and sheer determination to get up after life beats you down. Underneath every melody and tune, there is an unmistakable genuineness, a genuine form of honesty that shows Veloo does not write music to fill in the void, but rather to heal, to reach out, and to ground us. It does not come as any kind of surprise at all that the world is beginning to recognize the talent of Veloo, through some of the amazing pieces in this incredible album making its way to the semi-finals of the esteemed International Songwriting Competition, as well as the recognition of his talents as one of the finalists in the intense Bluesfest Busking Competition. Witnessing the achievements of an artist of this caliber, It is not a shocking experience but more like a delayed standing ovation for the real visionary. Delving into this incredible piece of art has truly been an honor and an amazing experience, which has left me totally mesmerized and highly inspired, and just waiting for the day when we get another creation from Sanny Veloo.
Stream the “I’ve Got You My Friend” album on Spotify.
Follow Sanny Veloo here and his socials: Instagram, TikTok, Bandcamp, YouTube
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