Sam Millar's solo debut, Virtual Summer, brings back the iconic '80s sound with fresh energy, landing right in the sweet spot between nostalgia and modern easy rock. Released on Earache Records, this 14-track collection feels like the musical equivalent of cruising down the highway with the top down and the stereo blasting. Millar, having spent years as a guitarist in various bands, took the quiet moments of the pandemic to channel his love for sun-soaked melodies, eventually crafting an album that balances infectious hooks with timeless AOR vibes.

Clocking in at nearly an hour, Virtual Summer is an ode to the feel-good rock of TOTO, Van Halen, and Huey Lewis, enveloping listeners in the ultimate summer party soundtrack. Released as many are beginning to feel the chill of Autumn, Milllar suggests, "When they play the album in winter, it’ll be like revisiting those moments—a ‘virtual summer’ they can keep with them.” Tracks like the sweeping ‘80s-inspired anthem “Meet Me Halfway,” the synth-kissed “Deja Vu (Synth Version),” and the bongo-driven, singalong rocker “Chardonnay” guarantee something for everyone.

Hailing from the greater Manchester city of Wigan, England, a place known more for its rainfall than its sunshine, Millar’s inspiration to create a summer-themed record feels almost rebellious. “No one expects a summer album to come out of Wigan, and that’s exactly why I did it,” he says. “It’s grey and drizzly most of the time, but Virtual Summer is like having sunshine on demand. Just press play.”

Growing up in a household steeped in the sounds of Slade, Bruce Springsteen, and Black Sabbath, Millar quickly found his own path to rock. And if Virtual Summer seems like a dopamine hit of familiar riffs and singable choruses, it’s no coincidence. It’s the culmination of a lifetime of admiration for the melodic mastery of AOR giants, particularly TOTO “Call it cheesy if you want,” Millar grins, “but there’s something magical about being able to sing along after hearing just one chorus. It’s all about the positivity.”

Millar not only wrote and produced the entire album but also played every instrument, setting himself apart in a genre that often leans on collaboration. “There’s no real scene for this sound right now, and I think that’s great,” he says. “It’s feel-good, radio-friendly pop rock, and there’s a space for that. Look at Taylor Swift or The 1975—those big gated snare drums. It sounds different from everything else out there, and that’s a good thing.”

From the Van Halen-inspired fireworks of album opener “The Killing Floor” to the shimmering synth waves of “Deja Vu,” Virtual Summer wears its ‘80s influences with pride, unapologetically drawing from a golden era of big melodies and even bigger hooks. “'Fooling Yourself' has a heavier edge, but I wanted it to feel like a rocked-up ABBA track. People might think I’m nuts, but I love ABBA!” Millar laughs. “‘Dancing On My Own’ has major Huey Lewis and Hall & Oates vibes, and ‘When The Summer Ends’ is my tribute to TOTO. My music is lighthearted, but it’s not a joke. It’s not a guilty pleasure if you don’t feel guilty about it.”