"The Modern Age" is Sleeper's first album in 21 years. It wasn’t meant to happen. In fact, the band had promised each other it never would. “We had no plan to get back together. Sometimes life throws you a massive curve ball. You end up jumping off the cliff, just to see what it feels like.”, says singer, Louise Wener
The band spent summer 2018 recording The Modern Age with their long-time producer, Stephen Street - a relationship that clicked into place again right away. They tracked live at Metway studios in their adopted city of Brighton, before decamping to Street’s studio in West London to add the finishing touches. The Modern Age is the outward looking sound of a band revitalized and refreshed. Covering subjects from motherhood and social media to personal loss and, inevitably, relationships. The Modern Age retains Sleeper’s classic pop sensibilities with a shiny, new, contemporary feel.
The first single to be taken from the album is Look at You Now – released on Dec 5th and available on all digital platforms. Initially it appears to be referencing Sleeper’s comeback, but it’s a protest song at heart: a howl for the politically homeless in a landscape where reasoned debate has given way to vitriol.
Sleeper enjoyed huge critical and commercial success in the mid-90s: achieving 8 Top 40 singles across 3 Top 10 albums with well over 1,000,000 sales. Their music was characterized by astute, observational lyrics and big, hook driven melodies. Wener was an iconic front-person, heading up a movement that brought women center stage in guitar music. Sleeper split In 1998 and walked purposely away from the limelight. Wener carved out a career as a successful novelist. Drummer Andy Maclure and John Stewart - Sleeper’s guitarist - both became lecturers in music studies. Sleeper’s current line-up are joined by former Prodigy bassist Kieron Pepper.
The band spent summer 2018 recording The Modern Age with their long-time producer, Stephen Street - a relationship that clicked into place again right away. They tracked live at Metway studios in their adopted city of Brighton, before decamping to Street’s studio in West London to add the finishing touches. The Modern Age is the outward looking sound of a band revitalized and refreshed. Covering subjects from motherhood and social media to personal loss and, inevitably, relationships. The Modern Age retains Sleeper’s classic pop sensibilities with a shiny, new, contemporary feel.
The first single to be taken from the album is Look at You Now – released on Dec 5th and available on all digital platforms. Initially it appears to be referencing Sleeper’s comeback, but it’s a protest song at heart: a howl for the politically homeless in a landscape where reasoned debate has given way to vitriol.
Sleeper enjoyed huge critical and commercial success in the mid-90s: achieving 8 Top 40 singles across 3 Top 10 albums with well over 1,000,000 sales. Their music was characterized by astute, observational lyrics and big, hook driven melodies. Wener was an iconic front-person, heading up a movement that brought women center stage in guitar music. Sleeper split In 1998 and walked purposely away from the limelight. Wener carved out a career as a successful novelist. Drummer Andy Maclure and John Stewart - Sleeper’s guitarist - both became lecturers in music studies. Sleeper’s current line-up are joined by former Prodigy bassist Kieron Pepper.
STAFF COMMENTS
Barry says: Sleeper are back! With an appropriately titled nod to the modern age, they have brought their impeccable ear for melodies and propulsive indie thrust into the 21st century with smooth production and crisp, satisfying melodies.TRACK LISTING
LP
A1. Paradise Waiting
A2. Look At You Now
A3. The Sun Also Rises
A4. Dig
A5. The Modern Age
B1. Cellophane
B2. Car Into The Sea
B3. Blue Like You
B4. More Than I Do
B5. Big Black Sun
CD
1. Paradise Waiting
2. Look At You Now
3. The Sun Also Rises
4. Dig
5. The Modern Age
6. Cellophane
7. Car Into The Sea
8. Blue Like You
9. More Than I Do
10. Big Black Sun