Emerging from the embers of both personal and professional heartbreak, Adelaide’s genre-blending outfit The Sundials have returned with ‘Finally Free’. A triumphant and cathartic single that puts their collective spirit and firepower back on full display. ‘Finally Free’ marks the rebirth of a band that had to crawl through the wreckage before soaring.
Built on a sturdy foundation of soulful grit and vintage rock flair, the song channels the hallelujah highs of ’60s gospel with the sun-soaked harmonies of ’70s folk-rock. Imagine if the righteous urgency of Sam & Dave collided head-on with the bittersweet poetry of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and you’re somewhere in the ballpark of what The Sundials are cooking up here.
Frontman Dieter Horvat leads the charge with a vocal performance steeped in both pain and release, while saxophonist Daisy Davidson injects bursts of fire into the arrangement. The rhythm section, anchored by Toby Johnson’s driving drums and Paddy Maddern’s pulsing basslines, keeps the track grounded as it ascends toward a powerful climax. Meanwhile, Will Healey’s guitar and Liam Wooley’s organ work conjure a cinematic warmth that evokes sun-drenched fields, open highways, and the moment you realise you’ve outgrown someone who once felt like your whole world.
This isn’t just about romantic liberation, it’s also a band-wide exorcism. After internal turmoil saw original members walk away with both songs and resources, The Sundials regrouped, rebuilt, and redefined what it means to create together. ‘Finally Free’ is the result of that fresh dynamic, a unified collaboration where every member had an equal stake in shaping the sound and the story. It’s the sound of six musicians truly locking in for the first time, and the chemistry is electric.
The Sundials are roaring into a new era with heart, conviction, and a whole lot of soul. ‘Finally Free’ is a track about shedding dead weight. It’s a rebirth, a groove-laden middle finger, and a love letter to second chances, all rolled into one.
