Nero Simon and the Sunsetters' latest offering, Pura Vida, celebrates the small joys of life with loved ones and the community around you.
Formed in Atlanta by lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Nero Simon, the sprawling 8-piece band has been dedicated to pulling Americana and classic rock out from the rocky heartlands and closer to the coastlines of the American South since 2021. Pura Vida is the group's third studio album, following their debut, Treasure Chest (2022), and their acclaimed sophomore album, Waveland (2024).
The album draws its title from the concept of "pura vida," the cultural essence of Costa Rica. "It reflects an outlook on life—appreciating the small joys, valuing community, and embracing a laid-back approach and commitment to happiness," says Simon. "We set out to make an album that hopefully captures that same essence and feeling."
Opening the record with "Some People," the track pays homage to the communities of Costa Rica by exploring the concept of "pura vida" musically. Simon's warm vocals and the band's tender instrumentals deliver the impactful lines "Some people / Have it all and ask for nothing more," asserting that this is the best possible way to live life, in no uncertain terms.
The album's first single, "Reefer in the Air," is a fun and lighthearted weed anthem set to a reggae-infused classic country style. The song is set where the presence of ganja is so abundant that "There's no need to take a toke / When there's so much second hand smoke." The track's utopian storytelling draws from the album's theme of easy living, describing a place where, in the absence of consequence, everyone is "baked by the middle of the afternoon."
"You and Me" tenderly reflects on living in the moment with a loved one, appreciating that time is limited. Opening with lovely two part harmonies courtesy of Simon and Mary Anne Ooten, the track immediately sets the scene: "You and me baby, on the sand / Loving life, drinks in hand."
The upbeat instrumentals soften the realities of the future, pushing them off for a little while longer: "One day we'll leave this all behind / But until then we'll have a good time." In a time of uncertainty for many, a celebration of the present is that much more heartwarming.
"Love the One You're With," finishes out the album with the band's own spin on the Stephen Stills hit. The Sunsetter's signature style turns the folk classic into a vibey beach rock number, the lyrics fitting the album like a glove. Embracing the present and choosing to celebrate in the midst of hard times is at the heart of this track, Simon and Ooten reminding the listener to simply "Love the one you're with."
Pura Vida pays homage to an admirable outlook as well as showcases Nero Simon and the Sunsetters' commitment to their own community and expansive, embracing sound.
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