Where's the Sun

Released in 2009, Where's the Sun served as a vital introductory statement for Family of the Year, establishing the Los Angeles-based collective's signature 'sun-drenched' sound. While they would later achieve massive commercial success with the single 'Hero,' this EP captures the band in a more experimental, chamber-folk leaning phase. The record was heavily influenced by the communal indie-pop scene of the late 2000s, drawing comparisons to acts like The Head and the Heart or early Local Natives, but with a distinct California pop sensibility. The production is characterized by dense vocal arrangements and a bright, high-fidelity acoustic palette. Tracks like 'Summer Girl' and 'Let's Go Down' showcase their ability to write anthemic, harmony-driven hooks that evoke a specific sense of place and season. Critically, the EP was praised for its earnestness and the technical proficiency of its vocal blending, marking them as a standout in the crowded indie-folk landscape of the time.