Rock music has always been most honest when it admits its own contradictions—the simultaneous desire to connect and destroy, to be understood and remain unknowable. The Sunmills grasp this paradox intuitively on their debut album “The Art of Burning Bridges,” released in May 2025. Rather than attempting to save rock and roll or eulogize it, this Highland, Utah trio holds up a mirror to a generation that has mastered the art of emotional avoidance while desperately craving authentic connection. They’ve crafted something unexpectedly vital: a rock album that doesn’t apologize for its messiness or pretend to have answers.
The 24-minute, eight-track album draws heavily from guitar legends like Jimi Hendrix and the funk-rock sensibilities of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Band members Jim Brown (guitars, vocals), Porter Chapman (drums), and Kyle McCann (bass) have crafted a sound that feels both nostalgic and current, addressing themes of failed relationships and self-sabotage through a lens of sharp wit and musical intensity.
The album’s creation story reflects the persistence required in today’s music industry. What began as a one-week recording session at June Audio in Provo, Utah in February 2020 stretched into a multi-year project. The band successfully recorded drums, bass, and a bonus track during that initial week, but guitar overdubs proved more time-consuming than anticipated. With only four tracks featuring completed guitars and no vocals recorded, they scheduled a follow-up session for April 2020—just as the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill.
The project entered an extended hiatus when Brown relocated during the pandemic. He returned in summer 2021 to lay down guide vocals, but significant progress remained elusive until fall 2023, when Brown completed construction on his new studio. This development allowed the band to finally dedicate themselves to finishing the album, adding layers and final touches that included, somewhat unexpectedly, triangle arrangements.
What emerged from this protracted creative process has proven worth the wait. Since its May release, “The Art of Burning Bridges” has quickly established The Sunmills as one of the most exciting new names in the rock scene. The album captures a perfect storm of raw energy, sharp lyricism, and a modern twist on classic rock grit. From high-voltage anthems to introspective slow-burners, the record balances chaos and vulnerability in a way that feels both refreshing and authentic.
That authenticity is paying off in real numbers. Their breakout track “Rock and Roll” leads the charge with over 77,000 streams, while flagship single “Burning Bridges” follows closely at more than 68,000 plays. “Not Going Home” has surged past 63,000 streams, and even deeper cuts like “Take Me Away” and “Whispering Words” are pulling in tens of thousands of listens. With nearly every track gaining traction, The Sunmills’ streaming growth proves what fans already know: this isn’t just another debut album, it’s the rise of a band destined to shape the next wave of rock.
Perhaps what resonates most about “The Art of Burning Bridges” is that it doesn’t pretend dysfunction is a problem to solve—it treats it as raw material. The Sunmills have discovered that the most productive thing you can do with chaos isn’t to fix it, but to plug it into an amplifier and see what happens. Based on their soaring numbers and growing fanbase, it’s working.
The Sunmills’ music is available on Spotify, with updates and content across Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, while their official website serves as the central hub for all things Sunmills.
