Jacob Ifans’ debut single, Sun Don’t Shine, released on 23rd May 2025, is a quietly powerful introduction to a singer-songwriter whose music is steeped in natural rhythms, heartfelt memory, and place-based storytelling. With a style that draws from folk and country roots, this track showcases both a lyrical maturity and a raw emotional honesty that feels hard-won and deeply personal.
Born in rural West Wales and now based in Cornwall, Ifans carries the soul of his upbringing in every note. His background—a musical farming family and the strong presence of the seasons—clearly informs his sound and storytelling. Sun Don’t Shine was written in the thick of winter, during a time when Ifans was living in a caravan. That raw, elemental experience seeps into the song. “Each season was particularly felt, each storm and cold spell were ingrained in my day to day,” he says, and you can truly hear that in the music. The single captures not just the chill of physical isolation, but the internal quiet that often accompanies it.
Musically, Sun Don’t Shine blends the introspective lyricism of Leonard Cohen with the dusty soul of Johnny Cash and the bittersweet tone of Rodriguez. The arrangement is simple, allowing Ifans’ voice and storytelling to take centre stage. His vocals feel lived-in—there’s a slight weariness in the tone, but it’s not heavy-handed. Rather, it adds weight to the song’s themes of solitude, reflection, and slow endurance. There’s a melodic warmth that cuts through the grey atmosphere he sings about, echoing the tension between resilience and vulnerability.
Lyrically, Sun Don’t Shine sits in that sweet spot between the poetic and the plainspoken. It’s not overly abstract, but it doesn’t spoon-feed emotion either. There’s enough room in the lyrics for the listener to project their own feelings and memories, which is a hallmark of great songwriting. The chorus lingers long after the song ends—not just melodically, but emotionally.
The video for Sun Don’t Shine, though simple, visually extends the song’s atmosphere. It leans into the quiet beauty of bleak landscapes and overcast skies, a reminder that stillness can also be a form of strength. It feels less like a performance and more like an honest glimpse into the world the song was born from.
Though this is Ifans’ debut single, there’s already a strong sense of artistic identity at play. He’s not trying to sound like someone else—he’s just sharing his story, his setting, his sound. That honesty, paired with a clear reverence for folk and country traditions, makes Sun Don’t Shine a standout track.
This single is just a taste of what’s to come from Jacob Ifans, whose debut album Eve’s Garden is on the horizon. Recorded at the Old Carpet Factory Studios on Hydra—where Leonard Cohen once found solace—it’s expected to be a “joyous mix” of folk and country. If Sun Don’t Shine is any indication, that record will be rich in feeling, rooted in nature, and full of subtle depth.
Jacob Ifans may be new to the wider scene, but he’s already a known presence in Cornwall’s musical circles, having played alongside names like Daisy Rickman, Tealeaf and Drolls. With this single, he’s taken a confident step forward, proving he has something meaningful to offer beyond the local stage.
In a world of overproduced debuts, Sun Don’t Shine is a breath of fresh, cold, winter air—honest, grounded, and quietly affecting. Jacob Ifans is definitely an artist to watch.
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