Red Sleeping Beauty Return with Second Time

Red Sleeping Beauty were meant to be joined on stage at last year’s Cologne Popfest by Mary from Even as We Speak, so they did the next best thing and got Mary to join them on a track for their forthcoming record. The song’s a masterful bit of driving synth pop, running with a heavy beat that seems built for late nights and neon lights. But, as much as the energy has this dance floor fit, Mary’s softness does a good job of keeping the tune elegant, giving it this confidence that shows signs of a huge record coming our way. This tune’s available now via Matinee Recordings, with the album to follow later this year!

Even as We Speak Shares Someone Video

After reuniting in 2016 for the much-missed NYC Popfest, Even as We Speak have share a good bit of new music; first an EP and now we’re anxiously anticipating Adelphi, their first full length after their return. Today we have another reason to celebrate “Someone,” as the band just shared the video of the dreamy track. The video mostly works with shots of Mary singing in various settings on different TV sets, throwing in some full bands shots along the way. One of the reason’s I love this song is how it seems like Mary’s the star, but there’s so much to shine a light on in the other bits behind the front of the mix…particularly in the way the guitar closes out the tune. Adelphi is out on July 24th via Shelflife.

Another Tune from Even As We Speak

Somehow in the hubbub of Easter weekend I let this new single from Even as We Speak sneak right passed me. I’m aiming to rectify that, as it’s a really beautiful pop tune. It opens up with these thickened synths looped over heavy drum beats, with a guitar hanging out somewhere in the distance; it almost feels like the song’s looking back on the purity of trip-hop in the mid 90s. Then the angelic notes of Mary Wyer’s voice enter the scene and everything else fades away; this is one of those vocal performances you don’t forget. As the song draws to a close, a little ambiance and musicality is flexed…but I’m still thinking about those vocals. Another reason we should all have our heads turned towards Adelphi when it drops in June via Shelflife Records and Discos de Kirlian.

Even as We Speak Announce Adelphi

Indiepop fans owe a debt of gratitude to Shelflife this year; they’ve already given us new music from Close Lobsters and now they’ve announced the long-awaited brand new LP from Even as We Speak. The group were one of the torchbearers for the heralded Sarah Records…but they went quiet in the early 90s until a reemergence in 2016 with a couple of shows and a new EP. Now we get a new record on the horizon, so we’ll start with this delightful single they’ve offered up. It opens with this swirling strummed guitar and a light-hearted stomp, allowing vocalist Mary to bring the song’s melody into focus with her voice; they work their charms for a good bit, but quickly take that churning indiepop and move it into a synth-driven sugary pop treat. They bounce back and forth between the two structures, accomplished so seamlessly that you hardly notice the studied variance until you press repeat because you simply can’t get the song out of your head. Adelphi drops on June 26th via Shelflife and Discos de Kirlian.

Stream the New EP from Even As We Speak

Surely you’ve heard about Sarah Records, especially with the rise of of indiepop in the indie realm as of late (or on this site anyways). But, many of the bands from that early period of pop have either reformed or been given their long deserved due. Even As We Speak, fortunately, have gone back in the studio and recorded their first work since 1993. Even 25 years on, they don’t seem to have missed a beat, crafting timeless pop music on The Black Forest EP. The EP begins slowly (energy wise), and then jumps off with the standout track, “Such a Good Feeling.” You’ll be able to get your hands on the EP from Emotional Response.