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Among the many comebacks that have dotted the last few months of British music, the Sleeper could not be missing.
An important part of 90s English rock (three albums and two singles in the top ten, with the second studio work "The It Girl" reaching platinum status), they decided to break up in 1998 after the lukewarm reception received by the third album. Also known for their cover of Blondie's "Atomic" included in the generational cult "Trainspotting," in 2017 they took the big step and decided to reunite for a series of concerts alongside their britpop scene colleagues Space, Dodgy, and The Bluetones.
Despite the firm intention not to return to the studio for a new record, a year ago they changed their minds to record this "The Modern Age," their fourth studio album released via Gorsky. The iconic vocals of frontwoman Louise Wener are still the same, and the now British trio has put together a convincing and vital work, which is certainly not a small feat after twenty-two years since their last album release.
The London band's sonic trademark is still well present: tracks like "Paradise Waiting," "Cellophane," and "Blue Like You" maintain those catchy and "crunchy" guitars that were all the rage back then and work great even now. The two singles "Look At You Now" and "The Sun Also Rises" add a few little innovations, the first with a synth that is not at all intrusive and very functional to the development of the track, the second with an electronic beat that gives vitality without straying into the gaudy.
The only quiet moments in such a straightforward and speedy album are relegated to the title track and the closing with "Big Black Sun." A decent return, certainly not revolutionary but pleasant and well-packaged.
Who knows if Sleeper will decide to continue or close, in a certainly convincing way, their artistic journey.
Best track: Paradise Waiting
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