Sanny Veloo – I’ve Got You My Friend

Sanny Veloo – I’ve Got You My Friend – Album Review

Mannnnnnnn am I behind on this one or what?  I’ve been listening to this record long before what will forever be known here as ‘the great internet outage of 2025’ that lasted an excruciating couple of weeks in an online world…and I’ve very much been looking forward to sharing my thoughts with you on this one.  Now that we’re finally catching up on LIFE with the tools we need to actually do this freakin’ thing we do here at sleepingbagstudios, I can tell ya about Sanny Veloo’s new album I’ve Got You My Friend.

First and foremost, hopefully this is a name you know by now.  Sanny’s a personal hero to me – no joke.  I dig the man’s whole vibe from the sound of his music, to the outstanding work ethic he possesses, to the communication we’ve had behind the scenes for years…the dude is built of pure Rock awesomeness, and he’s just one hell of a guy.  Whether it’s been the music he’s made in EMPRA, or the stuff I’ve heard solo from him in singles like “The Human Race Ain’t Worth Saving” and “Warning Signs,” the amazing videos he’s put out supporting them, the latest interview he did with us this year, or the fact that he just sent me a CD (and he PUT ME IN THE LINER-NOTES Y’ALL!  AMAZING!  Thank you Sanny!!!), T-Shirt, and personal handwritten note in the mail all the way from Australia…I mean…the guy’s always got something goin’ on & it’s been an honor, privilege & pleasure to have been a part of so much of the fun he’s been creating throughout the years.  So no – I wasn’t in the least surprised that he started out I’ve Got You My Friend as strong as he did with one of the advance singles, “I Don’t Believe The Truth.”  Trust me when I tell ya, the last thing I’d do is bet against this man when it comes to music, and hearing him kick out the jams in this opening song built on justified paranoia in these modern day times…like…it’s confirmation, it’s validation, it’s practically EXPECTED.  I try not to expect anything of anyone when it comes right down to it, but I’m so familiar with Sanny’s tunes that I knew long before pushing play he’d have something stellar for us with this set of nine songs.  If you’re reading this review on the can and need quick proof of what I’m tellin’ ya before you flush, jump to 2:45 of “I Don’t Believe The Truth” and hear the guy shred it up in a solo!  Or fuck, go straight to the finale if ya like…that’s wild too!  And then of course, there’s the main hooks of the chorus, and the incredible details he’s put into the words he’s penned throughout the entire tune…can’t go wrong there either.  Here’s a sample for ya:  “I watched a whiz kid talk about A.I./Age 13, working in tech, making shitloads/On and on he spoke like he had a microchip in his brain/But he’s never seen The Terminator.”  I’m tellin’ ya…Sanny’s gifted y’all – do yourself a favor and listen to the whole damn song instead of just the highlights…because it’s ALL highlights anyway!  I might be the least surprised man in the room recognizing that, but no less pleased.

You’ll get it when you have a listen for yourself, I promise you that.  “This Lovely Lie” was the first track on the album that I hadn’t heard through the pre-released singles in advance of its release, and DAMN SANNY, you’ve done it again dude!  The guy has such an iron grip on songwriting and knowing how to generate the kind of colorfully explosive entertainment you wanna hear.  If you’re somehow not convinced by the vocal hooks and “ooos” that start out the song, or the flawless fluidity and rhythm in the design of his melody for the verses…well, you’re built of pure granite stone for starters…but rest assured, you will NOT escape the chorus.  Singing way up high at the top of his register, Veloo gets every ounce out of the chorus in “This Lovely Lie” – it’s a serious treat for your ears & so ridiculously addictive to listen to, that I’m more than certain there will be a TON of you that have to put this cut on repeat for several spins before you even get to the rest of the record.  It’s full-on good time Rock that has the quintessential recklessness detailed in between the lines of the lyricism for contrast…the life of a real rock n’ roller on display for all to hear.  The transitions from verse to chorus are simply spectacular; Sanny so totally understands how to raise the stakes along the way as you listen, it’s beyond compare.

While he dials things back to a bit more of a mellow groove for “A Brighter Tomorrow,” the man’s hippie spirit starts shining through the lyrics he’s written, fully equipped with a message that we’ll all benefit from hearing.  Like…I suppose you could argue that Veloo is really just singing about what’s on most of our minds out loud, sure, but I appreciate that he’s taken the time to push record.  He’s got the people’s perspective working for him on “A Brighter Tomorrow,” and his down to earth approach is what makes this track resonate as solidly as it does.  If you’ve found yourself burnt out by politics or the state of how divided and mean society has tried to become, then you’ll find some solace in what Sanny’s singing about.  I think we could all use a champion of positivity…a bloody beacon of hope right now, yes?  I’ll be the first to nominate Sanny for that role, knowing that the rest of you listening will fully agree with that.  “A Brighter Tomorrow” acknowledges that things have been kind of shitty as of late, but also spends the majority of its time focused on reminding us that it DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY – so “spread the vibe, we start today!”  Beyond all that stuff, he’s got real chops on display throughout this entire song, where you’ll hear him basically weave through three or four different styles of music into one, creating a hybrid experience that not only expresses the need for unity, but sounds like it at the very same time.

“Warning Signs” was definitely a great call to have made for it being a lead single from this album, the scale of universal accessibility in this track is pretty much right off the charts.  Plus, Sanny cooked up a kickass video to go along with it once again, so heck yeah…”Warning Signs” will serve as an excellent gateway into this record for many listeners & viewers out there.  I’ve written a full article on this very track previously, so I’ll direct ya to click here if you want to read a whole lot of other thoughts on this song.  Consider it the companion piece to this article if ya like…but if you want a quick summary, it’s jam packed with single-worthy sound you’re sure to love.  Veloo got his money’s worth out of the performance from drummer Aaron Muller on this cut, and of course, outta himself too.  Reflecting on the supernova implosion of a past relationship, “Warning Signs” is not only ridiculously catchy, it’s also probably way too close to home for a great many of you out there as well.  If you’ve been burned by love at some point in your life, Sanny’s created an anthem for your catharsis to celebrate and give you the closure you need through a song that’ll make moving on easier.

As to whether or not “Love Has Set You Free” continues to deal with what “Warning Signs” was hinting at, or this is a separate theme…I’ll leave that up to you to decide.  I could certainly see that this might be the aftermath of “Warning Signs,” and I mean…it’d be kinda oddly coincidental to feel that way when “Love Has Set You Free” comes right after it, right?  So that leaves us with purpose and intention, don’t it?  Sanny must have planned this out.  Whereas “Warning Signs” is a pretty sensational takedown of a love gone wrong, “Love Has Set You Free” demonstrates a more philosophical and contemplative tone in its lyricism, which is what might make you wonder if Veloo is singing about the same thing in both songs, or not.  We’ll all have theories on that I’m sure.  I definitely think it’s possible…like…maybe Sanny wrote “Warning Signs” and realized what a scorching hot anti-love song it was, and then felt the need to backtrack a little bit by creating a more peaceful take on relationships ending with “Love Has Set You Free.”  Regardless about who’s take is the right one, I think we’ll all agree that “Love Has Set You Free” is one of the deeper cuts to be found on I’ve Got You My Friend.  It still has hooks, it still has universal vibes, it still has impeccable musicianship and substantial content, but sure, it’s mellower than most of the rest in the set by comparison I suppose.  It’s a more complex composition when it comes right down to it, which has Sanny and his band diving into a wider palette of sound for another true hybrid creation.

As he dials things back even further momentarily, I think many folks out there listening will feel the same way I do about “Dear Rani” potentially being this album’s biggest gem.  Honestly, it’s exceptionally gorgeous – and from my perspective, it’s right up there with the best songs that Sanny Veloo has ever written.  I’ll be the first to admit that you’re not gonna be dancing or grooving along with this track in the same ways that you have been to the rest throughout the album, but c’mon y’all…music can be so much more than that & this is a perfect example in that regard.  The cello from Carter Harris-Smith was a brilliant addition to this song and an entirely necessary element when it comes to its ingredients – but beyond any single instrument or musician’s performance on this track, at the heart of it all, is simply stellar songwriting & composition at work.  Listen to the way “Dear Rani” goes from being the most stripped-back song on the record, to revealing a major buildup happening around the 2:50 mark, and the powerful payload to follow…it’s textbook design y’all, which brings out the maximum potential in each individual part along the way.  Look at it this way…you want each piece of a song to have some sort of relationship with the rest, whether that’s through contrast or cohesion…it can be either, but when you find the right harmonious way for each part to complement the others, that’s when you’ve really struck gold.  “Dear Rani” could very well be the crown jewel in a set-list of spectacular songs on this album…I love how it goes from such a melancholy isolation & expands into such radiantly colorful sound.

With an almost Police-esque kind of pocket-groove to lead the way on “Before It’s Gone,” Sanny drops one of the more emotionally-driven songs that you’ll find on I’ve Got You My Friend.  Ultimately, this track feels like it’s got a whole bunch of what he’s been looking to communicate to us through his new album…it feels insightful as you listen to it.  “Claim the life you have before it’s gone” is about as sage advice as I’ve ever heard.  I also love how like, for a brief moment somewhere with about a minute or so to go, Veloo makes a switch from The Police to something that sounds more like Queen for a bit around the 3:50 mark.  All-in-all, he’s somewhat drawing on the blueprint left behind by the classic icons that came before him, but he’s gone about it all the right way, borrowing from his influences without taking too much.  “Before It’s Gone” ends up sticking to its script for the most part, really leaning into the mellow side of its sound.  Sanny takes a few opportunities along the way to light it up energy-wise, and he’ll definitely deliver ya one of the wilder solos he’s put on this album as “Before It’s Gone” finishes up.  It might have the toughest spot on the record to fill coming after “Dear Rani,” but it holds its own well enough I’d say.  I think the real recognition for “Before It’s Gone” likely comes later on down the road.

One of the biggest departures sound-wise is “Sunset Skies.”  With Sanny’s in-depth knowledge of music, I’m sure that the influence of The Beatles here was more than likely invited in with open arms.  Much like how I felt about “Before It’s Gone,” you can hear how these influences add color to his music rather than dominate it…and in my humble opinion, that’s the right way to go about things.  It’s respectful, you know?  Plus, we don’t just end up with a carbon copy of something else either.  Heck, you could actually make the argument that a song like “Sunset Skies” borrows as much from The Beatles as it does from The Bee Gees with the way Veloo sings the chorus, even with the more subtle energy he’s rocking with.  I felt like this was another fantastic example of the quality in his songwriting & execution on this album – he’s really set the bar high for himself, but he’s also clearing it with ease when you listen to the results.  “Sunset Skies” plays with a very straightforward recipe and intentionally simplified design, but like a great meal, it’s the simplest ingredients that often create the best dish you’ll experience.  Overall, I know that “Sunset Skies” is a slower jam than many of the others, which naturally puts at odds with the masses & their need for a dopamine hit of up-tempo energy, but this track should likely win them over.

Absolutely lovin’ that guitar line that starts up the final track, “I’ve Got You My Friend,” and the bass-lines from Sean Hurley were a perfect fit.  Some of that real complementary stuff I was alluding to earlier, you feel me?  The title-track from Sanny’s album seems like such a natural and organic groove, like it was all meant to be and everything’s in its right place.  It also feels conclusive, which I personally like to find songs sounding at the end of the record.  It might be one of those things that doesn’t really matter to everyone, but from my perspective, it DOES matter!  It’s the kind of writing that signifies the end, or at the very least, it’s been placed at the right part of the album for a sound like it has, which tells you that Veloo has thought smartly about the layout of songs.  You’d never know it kiddies, but way back in MY day, creating an album was still considered an art – and it’s the kind of details like how we right through the ups and downs with pace and themes throughout this album that shows you Sanny put a lot of thought into every second it contains.  “I’ve Got You My Friend” is in that dangerous mid-tempo range, which is usually toughest waters to navigate in the court of public opinion.  I’m more than confident that the title-track will not only gain the people’s approval, but quite possibly be the go-to cut on the record for many listeners out there.  It’s got that beers & lighters up, last call at the bar and it turns into a musical for a moment where everyone starts singing along type-feeling…and how cool is that?  Like I’ve been saying from the get-go…Sanny’s undeniably gifted, and his talents are limitless – it’s always a pleasure to hear what he’s come up with next, but he’s really exceeded all expectations here.

Find out more about Sanny Veloo at his official website at:  https://sannyveloo.com

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