Right now there seems to be loads of 'electronic' bands making an appearance on the scene. New technology becoming a lot more accessible to the masses means your limits are endless. The main problem is most of these bands sound the same. They lack originality and for all the effort of trying to stand out, it's heard to distinguish them just by listening to them. Sleepwalkers are no such a band. Comprising of talented midlanders Richard Siddall-Jones and Ben Marsden, they have been making music together since they where schoolboys but only now have things started to get serious. Creating that all important individual style they come to the fold with their debut EP 'Pause'.
Both men are extraordinarily creative, turning small ideas into something that really shines seems to come relatively easily to them both. Vocals are carried out predominantly by Marsden, who’s delicate individual voice has the ability easily portray drama and emotion. The list of bands these guys take their influences from is as long as your arm, but what definitely shows through on this record could be described as ‘Radiohead meets Hot Chip’... Experimental, emotional, stirring, and above all, serious talent - The art of looking like you’re not trying too hard and yet producing something sensational.
The pair are both excellent musicians, however the expert production duties are left to Richard, who has studied and practiced music production for many years. This really becomes apparent on this EP, which has taken about 12 months of solid work to complete. Richard is a perfectionist, and you can easily tell as the quality is something else.
The EP opens with ‘Rear Window’ - using mostly electronics, acoustic guitar and Ben’s vocals. As a first track it’s an excellent introduction, providing a strong build up and promises more as you listen on. Thom Yorke's influences can be felt as soon as Ben sings the first note, crooning in a similar style to the Radiohead frontman but yet retaining a lot of individuality. 'Rear Window' is a relatively simple record on the surface, with light drums and a feint hint of bass it's light and delicate, but Ben's voice and synthesiser sounds fill out the record into something a lot more accomplished.
‘Lightdrops’ certainly is a stand out track, with one of the most stirring introductions I’ve heard in a long time. Bursting into song Ben shows his vocal ability - again making it seem easy. This time there's more bass with a more upbeat sound, the vocals are also thicker, due to backing from Siddall-Jones - making this track into something with more body than the previous track. It's an energetic record, uplifting and emotional at the same time.
Following this comes the dramatic 'Chasing The Lupine'. It soon becomes clear there are also influences being taken from outfits such as newcomers Delphic on this track, with emotional lyrics combined with a fast pace, electronics and to add a plot thickening twist using strings in the background.
Returning back to a delicate style comes 'Glass & Diamonds'. Ben's original voice comes into play once more, or so you think. It lulls you into a false sense of security as the track opens into a much heavier sound than the others on the EP. Harking back to the bands rockier past, it has been brought bang up to date with the contemporary electronic style of the band. A great break away from what could have been something too similar to the rest of the record, showing brilliantly the diversity of the two musicians.
Finally it wraps up with 'Antarctica'. The track opens with an interesting introduction, which arguably goes on for a little too long, but it becomes clear why when the beat kicks in. For one last time the band come at you with an unexpected, powerful beat that's backed up with hints again of their indie foundations. It builds up, thumps away at your eardrums and gets inside you, then fades away, leaving you wishing there was more.
This EP is the result of an ongoing project the pair have been working on for a long time. It's an amalgamation of thoughts, ideas and concepts which have been stored away waiting.Now matured, they have been brought together to create a debut release that's really worth shouting about. With the creativeness and quality accomplished long standing artists would be proud of, let's hope we hear more from these guys.
'Pause' will be available on Spotify, iTunes and Amazon on 25th January 2011, under DryCry Records. The band are currently planning on a release of further material soon.
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