Sleep Party People - We Were Drifting On A Sad Song

Having quietly released their eponymous debut in 2010, Denmark’s resident rabbit mask wearing five piece Sleep Party People are back with their second full-length effort, one that bears all the hallmarks of post rock experimentalism while avoiding the genres much maligned stagnation. Born from the Lynchian leanings of Copenhagen based multi-instrumentalist Brian Bratz, ‘We Were Drifting On A Sad Song’ finds itself in more lavishly produced and varied territory than its predecessor.

Breaking us in gently with the familiarity of previous single ‘A Dark God Heart’ the album’s opening number immediately strikes a plaintive chord as the band’s distinctly indecipherable and ethereal vocals slowly permeate every space in-between sighing piano keys. It’s a surreal, dreamy trip with soaring, elative strings that bring you to the brink of a simple pop song before melting harmonies strip any chance of that away. The first hint of guitars or percussion explode with an expected ferocity, bringing the entire song to a calamitous end: a dramatic opening statement if ever there was one, the intensity of which could not possibly last. The dreamy balanced approach of ‘Chin’ then comes as a welcome respite, its snare drum driven rhythm ushering in a warm bed of synths whose drifting lethargy eases the listener into the many sonic faces of Sleep Party People.

No matter how many times the album’s tempo twists and turns it is constantly underlined with a uncanny sense on unease: populated with harmonies that are as cosy and comforting as they are unsettling and spooky. ‘Melancholic Fog’ and ‘Heaven Is Above Us’ embrace a more minimalist approach, building incremental harmonies layers through strings, keys and vocals only. The more tense, dramatic inclination of Bratz and co are brought to life in numbers such as ‘Gazing At The Moon’ and title track ‘We Were Drifting On A Sad Song’, whose complex instrumental arrangement offers the most sustained, extravagantly adorned effort of all 9 tracks.

Drawing inspiration from shoegaze and post rock alike, Sleep Party People’s second album is characterised, as was their first, by its predilection for reverb, indistinguishable melody-driving vocals, and eerie, kaleidoscopic instrumentals. Don’t get me wrong though, ‘We Were Drifting On A Sad Song’ is much more than a homage to any of its influences, they are far too numerous and understated in nature. An intelligent, delicate, crisp yet hazy and tentatively emotional record, their latest effort has been crafted with an authentic, unwavering hand and although its surreality may be enough to prevent a lasting attachment, its enveloping, unabashedly experimental sound is enough to invoke a meaningful connection, for now at least.