The Cruel Sea - Straight Into the Sun

The Cruel Sea helped define ‘90s Australian rock with their bluesy, cinematic swagger—do they still have it? A longtime fan and critics break it down.

There’s a new Cruel Sea album—Straight Into the Sun. For fans of Australian rock, it’s a long-awaited return from a band that defined an era with their signature blend of blues, surf rock, and gritty storytelling.

The Cruel Sea began as an instrumental outfit in late 1987 in Sydney, crafting moody, cinematic soundscapes drenched in reverb and swagger. When frontman Tex Perkins joined in 1989, his weathered, lived-in vocals brought a new depth, and the band quickly found their groove. Their breakout album, The Honeymoon Is Over (1993), cemented their place in Australian music history, earning them five ARIA Awards, including Album of the Year, and reaching triple-platinum status. Tracks like “Better Get a Lawyer” and “The Honeymoon Is Over” became instant classics, steeped in dry wit and outlaw spirit.

After their last studio album, Where There’s Smoke (2001), the band faded into the background. The loss of longtime guitarist James Cruickshank in 2015 only added to the sense that their story had quietly closed. Now, with Straight Into the Sun, they’re stepping back into the light, bringing in acclaimed blues guitarist Matt Walker to help reignite the fire.

So, does Straight Into the Sun live up to the band’s legacy, or has too much time passed? Let’s dive into the debate between critics and Gavin Reid, a DMO Union member.

What Works? The Fan vs. The Critics

“This is an easy album to lean into and listen to. As always, Tex’s voice is smooth and suits the warmth of the music.” – Gavin Reid, DMO Union Member

• The Australian echoes this sentiment, praising the album’s effortless flow: “This 10-track album proves that… the passing of 24 years means nothing; this is the sound of The Cruel Sea doing exactly what it needs to do, and doing it well.”

“There’s a lot to enjoy as a Sunday morning album, and it will likely be the most played album this year in my household.” – GR

• The Guardian highlights a similar ease of listening, noting that Straight Into the Sun “captures heat, isolation, and a rugged essence, making their music unmistakably Australian.”

“The warmth of the instrumentation makes it an inviting listen.” – GR

• Bernard Zuel appreciates the album’s soundscape, writing that “it moves at its own pace, inviting listeners to sink into its atmosphere.”

“It’s a great background album, the kind you can have on and let it wash over you.” – GR

• The Rockpit echoes this, stating that the album “flows with an ease that makes it a companion piece to slow mornings and long drives.”

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👉 Get the full breakdown of where Straight Into the Sun shines and where it stumbles. Does this album deserve a place in your collection?