Review: Sunjay – Split The Sheets
After slipping off the radar for a while, British singer and guitarist Sunjay returns to the spotlight with an album blending blues, country, folk and rock ‘n’ roll
Sunjay – Split The Sheets
Format: CD / LP / Digital
Label: Mighty Tight Records Ltd.
Release date: 18 September 2026
Text: Henk Hekkelman
To be fair, I had rather lost track of Sunjay over the past few years. The British singer and guitarist had slipped off my radar, and his latest album, ‘Split The Sheets’, released on 18 September, had been sitting on my shelf for far too long. It was about time I finally gave it the attention it deserved. And as it turns out, this was a very welcome rediscovery. Sunjay proves that he remains an excellent guitarist who refuses to be confined to just one musical style.
With ‘Split The Sheets’, his tenth studio album, Sunjay takes the listener on a journey through blues, country, folk and rock ‘n’ roll. Fourteen songs exploring love, longing and heartbreak. The album also completes a trilogy in which he offers his own interpretations of songs by other artists. In doing so, he manages to give familiar compositions a character of their own while remaining respectful of the original material.
The opening track, Stephen Bruton’s That’s Love, immediately sets the tone with a lively country groove and some fine guitar work. It Must Be Love, best known through Don Williams, also receives a fresh interpretation. On Hundred Dollar Valentine, Sunjay demonstrates his refined fingerpicking technique, accompanied by subtle pedal steel guitar.
There is plenty of room for the blues as well. Take Out Some Insurance, a song associated with Jimmy Reed, receives a fuller arrangement with an appealing swing. Bo Diddley’s Who Do You Love gets an energetic treatment, combining its unmistakable rhythm with powerful guitar playing.
Sunjay: Photo by Jane Jordan
The influence of Buddy Holly can be heard on It’s Late and Love’s Made a Fool of You. Both tracks capture the spirit of early rock ‘n’ roll, while My Baby Don’t Tolerate reveals a tougher side of Sunjay’s musical personality.
Alongside the more energetic material, the album also offers several beautiful, quieter moments. Killing the Blues is among its most atmospheric performances, with Sunjay’s warm vocals and restrained accompaniment taking centre stage.
Fallin’ Out is equally convincing, its melancholic mood enhanced by subtle violin parts. On If I Needed You, his delicate acoustic guitar playing once again comes to the fore, while the closing track, 45 Years, brings the album to a gentle conclusion.
With ‘Split The Sheets’, Sunjay has delivered a varied and carefully crafted album. His warm voice, excellent guitar technique and natural feel for different musical styles make for a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience. Not every interpretation offers something unexpected, and fourteen tracks make this a fairly substantial collection, but there is no questioning the musicianship on display.
A tasteful roots album that should appeal to anyone with a fondness for blues, Americana, country and classic rock ‘n’ roll. And as far as I’m concerned, a very good reason to keep a closer eye on Sunjay from now on.
Tracks:
01. That’s Love
02. It Must Be Love
03. Hundred Dollar Valentine
04. It’s Late
05. Take Out Some Insurance
06. Love’s Made a Fool of You
07. I’ll Never Fall in Love Again
08. Killing the Blues
09. Fallin’ Out
10. If I Needed You
11. Who Do You Love
12. Do You Know What I Mean
13. My Baby Don’t Tolerate
14. 45 Years
Line-up:
Sunjay – Vocals, acoustic, electric and hi-strung guitars, foot percussion
Charlie Barker – Backing vocals
Josh Clark – Drums, mandolin, bass guitar and double bass
Bob Fridzema – Hammond organ and piano
Katriona Gilmore – Backing vocals and violin
Jonny Henderson – Hammond organ and piano
Astrid Hogendijk – Backing vocals
Jon Loomes – Accordion
Lee Southall – Harmonica and screaming
Sarah Warren – Backing vocals
Joe Wilkins – Electric and baritone guitars, backing vocals
Website: https://www.sunjay.tv/
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