Native Sun Turns a Critical Lens on the States with "Juarez"

By Erin Christie

New York City is crawling with talent, so much so that if you look hard enough, you might just find your next favorite band smoking on the front stoop of any bodega you pass. In the case of Native Sun, though, you’re going to want to take a second to stop, give them a listen, and let yourself become hooked.

The band—Danny Gomez (vox, guitar), Jake Pflum (guitar), Mauricio Martínez (bass), and Alexis Castro (drums)— has made a name for themselves following a few years fighting tooth-and-nail amidst the saturated, largely white, NYC DIY scene; with Grand Jury to back them up, 2020 is their time to finally get the rest of the world on board.

“Juarez” is the band’s very first single following the announcement of their contract. It’d be an understatement to say that the stakes aren’t high, but there was never any doubt that they’d be able to pull it off.

As the song opens, it’s electric from the gate, joining mashing keys with screaming guitar. The band’s gigs are infamously wild—so much so that it’d be rare for you to leave one without at least a scratch or two. This track encapsulates their high-energy and unwillingness to slow down: throw anything their way, they’ll catch it head-on, and hurl it right back.

Part of what makes “Juarez” so impactful, apart from its earworm of a hook, is its political implications. As noted in the song’s press release, this track exemplifies “the struggle, violence, and sense of isolation and hardship that comes along with the commitment to survival and a better future,” notably in the context of the United States. Frontman Danny Gomez’s vocals cut like a knife, describing the treacherous journey many take when attempting to enter this country; his words are relevant now, more than ever.

A harsh reality as it is, this country is an unforgiving one, especially in the vein of our current political climate. As “Juarez” suggests, “you gotta risk it all” to succeed and “reach the American dream,” and for the disenfranchised majority, strife is an everyday battle in the States. This track expresses frustration at that reality sonically, unleashing a storm of melodic hellfire. As you scream along and slam into your fellow members of the pit, you’re confronted with the reality that if we want things to change in this country, we have to be the ones to take initiative.

With “Juarez” and their FADER-praised single “Oedipus Race” considered, it’s clear that Native Sun isn’t afraid to grasp listeners by the shoulders and shake some sense into them.

Check out Native Sun supporting White Reaper and The Muckers next month and catch them at SXSW this March! In the meantime, keep an ear open for whatever they release next by checking out their social media: