Honeymoon Suite‘s ninth studio album, Wake Me Up When the Sun Goes Down, is out today, released via Frontiers Music Srl. Also out is new single and lyric video ‘Ever Leave You Lonely’.
Guitarist Derry Greham commented on the new single, saying: “I was jamming on a cool open tuning that I use sometimes, and out popped the riff for ‘Ever Leave You Lonely’. I really love the way this song came out. I think I was channeling a combination of U2 and The Cult if you listen closely. They are two of my favourite bands. It’s a real uplifting song with a positive lyric.”
As a follow-up to their 2024 release Alive, Wake Me Up When the Sun Goes Down marks another exciting chapter in the band’s storied career. Known for their infectious blend of melodic rock, powerful hooks, and captivating lyrics, this legendary Canadian band continues to honour its classic 80s-inspired sound while embracing contemporary production techniques. The new album showcases the group’s signature style — a fusion of hard-hitting rock energy and smooth, melodic anthems — but with an updated sonic twist, adding a modern touch that fans have come to expect after their previous successes.
Wake Me Up When the Sun Goes Down sees the band continuing their commitment to the rock genre, staying true to the powerful, melodic music that made them a household name in the 1980s. Fans can expect driving rhythms, soaring guitar solos courtesy of Derry Grehan, and the signature emotive vocals of lead singer Johnnie Dee. Honeymoon Suite’s earlier work, including iconic hits singles, established them as one of Canada’s most beloved rock bands, and their ability to evolve while keeping their classic sound intact continues to resonate with both old and new listeners alike.
Once again, the band has joined forces with acclaimed producer and songwriter Michael Krompass (Steven Tyler, Theory Of A Dead Man, Smash Mouth), who helped shape the sound of their 2024 album Alive. Krompass’s ability to blend the past and present is evident here, as the album resonates with the same nostalgic vibe that has defined the band’s enduring legacy, while incorporating the latest production trends that elevate their sound to new heights.
Derry comments on ‘Wake Me Up When the Sun Goes Down: “The new album actually came together pretty quickly compared to ‘Alive.’ We didn’t have a pandemic to deal with. Also, our producer, Mike Krompass, had moved back to Canada, and this put us all much closer together. We recorded most everything at Mike’s home studio outside of Toronto. A lot of the songs were written quickly by Johnnie, Mike, and me in the studio, and I think they have a very fresh, live sound with a sense of urgency and excitement. I had also brought in a few much older ideas that we re-worked and made into great new songs. The album is classic Honeymoon Suite. Every song is different and great in its own way. It’s an album that will grow on you the more you listen, and we think people are going to love it.”
Wake Me Up When the Sun Goes Down features the tracks: ‘I Fly’, ‘Way of the World;’, ‘Every Minute’, ‘Way Too Fast’, ‘Stay This Time’, ‘Crazy Life’, ‘Live On’, ‘Keep Our Love Alive’, ‘Unpredictable’ and ‘Ever Leave You Lonely’ – It can be ordered here.
The album’s first single was ‘I Fly’ bout which Grehan commented: “I had originally come in with the music that ended up becoming ‘I Fly’. We had a great chorus, and we knew the track could be super cool if we finished it right. There were several re-writes over the course of a few months, but we finally hit on a really great verse and pre-chorus that rolled perfectly into the ‘I Fly’ chorus. I felt bad for Johnnie as Mike pushed him to his limits when cutting the vocal, but sometimes that’s what it takes, and the results speak for themselves. Johnnie is singing better than ever!
“The lyrics are metaphorical. They talk about being on a plane, taking off into a new life, and leaving a bad situation behind on the ground. Finding a new freedom and the strength it takes to change. It’s a very positive song, and I think a lot of people can relate.”
