Folk & Emo Unite On Truman Sinclair’s New EP, ‘Rivers of Sugar and Blood’
Following the independent release of his 2025 debut album, American Recordings, Truman Sinclair returns with a six-pack of fresh songs that revolve around growing up, the effects of mental illness, and life’s true purpose.
The Chicago-born, Los Angeles-raised singer got his start in indie rock playing guitar with Fat, Evil Children, and eventually starting the band Frat Mouse. A love for metal and hardcore music growing up would help Sinclair evolve as a musician. His authenticity as a writer, however, comes from his early obsession with emo music, like My Chemical Romance. After moving to the historic Laurel Canyon neighborhood of LA, Sinclair fell in love with the sound of folk music and heartland rock that was born in the area, citing a connection to the “lyric-driven songwriting.”
This emo-tinged indie folk connection truly comes to fruition with Sinclair’s new EP Rivers of Sugar and Blood. The song “chemical smile,” sees our narrator tackles a friend's battle with mental illness and medication.
“Well, I've seen you here before with your chemical smile, the poison that they feed you won't kick in for a while.”
The song “dust to dust” features Sinclair’s slack vocals as he reminisces on his childhood and how choices made by his friends and peers affect their lives. “dust to dust” is driven by a catchy guitar loop and showcases some of the gritty production choices featured throughout the project. Sinclair, who assists Grammy-winning producer Dave Sardy (Johnny Cash, Oasis, Slayer) in the studio, self-produced all six songs for the EP, describing the recording process as “raw, yet fully-realized.”
A strong 2025 for Truman Sinclair looks to continue in 2026 following the release of Rivers of Sugar and Blood. The single “sugar”, which evokes the Laurel Canyon sound so efficiently, has been receiving BBC Radio 1 play on Sian Eleri’s show “Future Artists.” In May 2026, Sinclair will join Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett as an opener on her Creature of Habit North American Tour.
Listen to Rivers of Sugar and Blood out now
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