When The Sunmills dropped their debut album The Art of Burning Bridges, in May, it wasn’t just another indie rock release; it was a signal flare. In just a few short months, the Highland, Utah trio has amassed an impressive 47,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, with their fanbase growing at an explosive rate thanks to their raw sound, witty self-awareness, and unapologetic energy.
Leading the charge is their flagship single “Burning Bridges”, the most-streamed track on the record with 67,953 plays and counting. It’s the perfect introduction to The Sunmills, a funky, high-voltage blend of alternative rock grooves and sarcastic lyrical jabs. The track feels like a diary entry written during a mid-breakdown, but set to riffs that demand a full-volume singalong. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s exactly the kind of honest chaos fans can’t get enough of.
The album itself is a whirlwind of emotional highs and lows, as The Sunmills craft a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh, somewhere between the spirit of ‘90s alt-rock and the modern indie sensibility of bands unafraid to expose their flaws. And judging by their growing numbers, the approach is working. Since May, their streams have skyrocketed, their Instagram engagement has surged, and their live shows are starting to draw bigger, rowdier crowds.
Beyond “Burning Bridges,” tracks like “Not Going Home” and “Whispering Words” are helping cement their reputation as a band with more than one anthem in the chamber. “Not Going Home” delivers punchy, guitar-driven adrenaline, while “Whispering Words” reveals a softer but still razor-sharp side of their songwriting. Each track is layered with that same balance of vulnerability and attitude that defines The Sunmills.
What makes this rise even more exciting is that it feels organic, no gimmicks, no forced viral stunts. Just pure, sweat-soaked, riff-heavy honesty. Fans are responding not just to the music, but to the personalities behind it: musicians unafraid to crack a joke at their own expense while still pouring their hearts into every note.
If their current trajectory is anything to go by, The Art of Burning Bridges might be the kind of debut people look back on as the start of something big. The Sunmills aren’t just gaining fans, they’re building a community of listeners who see themselves in the chaos, humor, and catharsis of their songs. And with streaming numbers climbing daily, it’s safe to say this is only the beginning.
