There’s a great many of us extended Echoes and Dust family, who like nothing better than recommending each other new musical discoveries.
It’s a sense of sharing and community I relate to that extends to various other sites. Sometimes, and I apply this to myself, things get recommended that while quality and worthwhile aren’t stand-outs to make you really sit up and get excited.
Sleep Lady are one of the gems that I’ve been harassing people about recently. And they very much should be making everyone who hears jump up and be very, very excited.
‘So Long Lonely Ghosts’ is the follow up to their also excellent debut EP, ‘Fight For The Year‘ It’s a collection of 8 tracks that will have you transfixed from beginning to end.
What makes Sleep Lady stand out from the usual Post-whatever crowd is both their quality and variations of dynamics and styles. Subtle well-timed flourishes of keys and effects, haunting female vocals, gentle acoustics, and punishing slab heavy riffs keep everything fresh and engaging.
Production comes from Aaron Harris (Isis) alongside band members, Michael Hayden and Mario Quintero, and the album was mastered by James Plotkin (Khanate, Jodis). So some quality names have worked on the album, and the music doesn’t disappoint
‘Billions and Billions’ opens proceedings, warm acoustic strumming and keys, leading to waves of shimmering guitar lapping around your ears. It builds to a heavier rhythm, with the keys still underpinning the melody before launching into a full post-rock/metal workout.
There are elements of some classic influences apparent in Sleep Lady‘s music. However it never distracts from their own style and inventiveness. As best displayed on second track ‘There Are No Happy Accidents’. An almost Massive Attack vibe is present, deep rhythms and Kristy Hayden’s stirring vocals setting the tone. The track breaks halfway through with a music-box like gentleness, before exploding with riffs and power. It’s a stunning and original track and just one of many highlights on the album.
‘Drugged By The Sun’ begins more straight forward and heavy but soon provides more shifts and atmospherics to make it essential listening. Electronic touches and hushed vocals in contrast with some serious heavy and melodic guitar work leaving you slack-jawed and eyes glazed.
At this point you begin to wonder how this is self-released and why Sleep Lady are not gracing stages throughout the world, never-mind America. Although if there is any justice it should only be a matter of time.
‘Weak Chin’ is another track worthy of any top post-something band’s armoury. Brooding and slow-burning it’s another example of Sleep Lady‘s ability to appeal to those who prefer the heavier side of ‘mostly instrumental’ music. ‘Someones Gotta Win’ expands the sound even further with a highly charged positive upbeat tempo, sprawling from an electronic and melodic opening.
‘I Wanted To Be A Penguin Forever’ is built on Sarah Quintero’s warm fuzzy bass, melodies and rhythms pour out until a gentle vocal finish. It gives way to the acoustic and sublime ‘Night Moves’.
The near ten minute ‘These Fucking Worms’ finishes what’s an exhilarating and varied album. An epic journey through melody and power.
By now I hope it’s clear you need to hear this album, then you will understand my enthusiastic rambling. Sleep Lady have served up another of 2012’s now many highlights, don’t miss out.
‘So Long Lonely Ghost’ is released digitally on Nov 13th.
Posted by Phil Johnston.
