Sweetheart of the Sun
Sweetheart of the Sun is the Bangles’ fifth studio album, released on September 27, 2011. It is the group’s second album since reuniting in 2003, and it’s the only Bangles album without an official bassist because Michael Steele left in 2005; the band used session bass players for the record. The album was co-produced by the Bangles and Matthew Sweet.
The twelve-track collection includes ten original songs, some written by the three band members with occasional outside collaborators (including former Go-Go’s guitarist Charlotte Caffey), and three songs written by the trio itself. Some tunes were drawn from material the band had not recorded in years, dating back to the early 1990s. The two cover songs come from the 1960s: “Sweet and Tender Romance” (a reworking of a McKinleys tune) and “Open My Eyes” (from the Nazz).
The album’s title comes from the song “Anna Lee (Sweetheart of the Sun),” inspired by Sheila Weller’s 2009 book Girls Like Us, a triple biography of Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon. The song and the album reflect the influence of these feminist, independent women on the Bangles’ music.
Creating the album took about two years, in part because of the members’ family responsibilities. Susanna Hoffs noted that they used to live as “married to the band,” but balancing motherhood with creativity slowed the process.
An expanded Barnes & Noble edition added acoustic versions of two tracks. Two singles were released to promote the album: “I’ll Never Be Through with You” and “Anna Lee (Sweetheart of the Sun).” The 7-inch single for “Anna Lee” included acoustic versions of “Hazy Shade of Winter” and “Let It Go.”
Critics viewed Sweetheart of the Sun as a successful reinvention of the Bangles’ early sound, blending 1960s-influenced pop with modern pop-rock. No Depression praised its nods to the past without dwelling on it, and noted the band’s strong musicianship. The New York Times described it as mature takes on youthful ideas, while Blurt suggested it sounded like a natural follow-up to their early work. Fresh Air highlighted its craft and accessibility, saying you don’t need to have heard Bangles songs before to enjoy it.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 08:05 (CET).