Sun'dra’s Hi This Is SunDra: A Pop/Rock Punch from 2004 That Still Kicks
Alright, let’s get real for a sec. Sun'dra dropped Hi This Is SunDra back in ‘04, and it’s one of those albums that sneaks up on you like a ninja with sugar-high jitters. It’s not perfect—it’s kinda messy if we’re being honest—but damn does it have personality. The whole thing screams early 2000s Japanese pop/rock vibes, but there’s something raw about it too. Like, you can tell this chick wasn’t just phoning it in. She meant every note.
First off, shoutout to “Count To Ten” because holy crap, how many times do they need to put that track on here? Twice?! Bold move. But honestly? It works. There’s something hypnotic about the way her voice loops around the melody, all smooth and sweet at first, then BAM—she hits you with these soaring vocals that feel like getting punched in the feels (but in a good way). It’s simple, sure, but sometimes simple sticks. Plus, who doesn’t love counting to ten when life gets chaotic? Feels like therapy wrapped in three minutes of synth-laden goodness.
Then there’s “Looking Back Special.” Man, this one is wild. They remix “Looking Back” so many times on this album I lost count—seriously, what’s the deal with that? But this version? Totally worth it. It’s got this dreamy vibe going on, almost nostalgic, like staring out a rainy window while eating junk food. Her voice floats over the beat like she’s singing directly into your soul, and the production has this trippy edge that makes you wanna hit replay. You know those songs that make you stop scrolling Instagram mid-doomscroll? Yeah, this is one of them.
But let’s keep it 100: not everything lands perfectly. Some tracks blend together like forgotten mixtape filler, and yeah, maybe having five versions of “Looking Back” was excessive. But hey, it’s 2004—we were all experimenting back then. Low-rise jeans? Check. Overly dramatic ballads? Double check. And Sun'dra nails the drama where it counts.
Here’s the kicker though: listening to this now feels like finding an old photo album under your bed. Sure, some parts are cringey, but others remind you why you fell in love with music in the first place. So props to TRIDENT STYLE Inc. for letting Sun'dra go full throttle on this project.
Final thought? If someone told me aliens made this album as a guide to human emotions, I wouldn’t even question it. Just don’t ask me why “She’s Waiting” is spelled two different ways. No clue. None.
