The indie rock scene has its big names like The Black Keys and Cage the Elephant. All having a similar background, these different bands have constantly altered this style in order to give them their own edge. It’s time for Sleeper Agent to shine; their new, pop-based record, About Last Night, holds down the sharp and full guitar riffs and large drumbeats, but mix things up with smooth and distinct rhythms and bombastic synthesizer elements. This record is quite a bit of development for Sleeper Agent, moving away from the crashing riffs and inching closer to upbeat tempos.
Sleeper Agent become more experimental with this pop style in About Last Night. Although they push the boundaries of pop rock music, some tracks are off point. The synthesizer can be used very commendably, like in “Take It Off”, but sometimes falls short on the record. “Be Brave” has a repetitive synth effect throughout the chorus, and is not quite resolved by the awkward intonation in the verses. It is easy to get puzzled by “Eat You Up” as well, with an obvious beat which is basic, and may appear to drag the song behind. The few times tracks such as these lack focus and simple rhythm, lowers the band’s potential. Thankfully, Sleeper Agent’s musical endeavors have greater successes than faults.
The band flaunts their fun style directly, giving a solid structure to their sound. They define tracks’ rhythms with choppy vocals and flow into smooth refrains. This method is specifically successful in “Bad News”; the instrumentals are generally constant and glide through cyclic potent guitar parts and a simple drumbeat. Once the song reaches the chorus, everything falls into place. This method helps some songs find balance within the vibrant sounds and background features. “Take It Off” has lively synth effects and powerful beats that are soothed by the rolling refrain mkaing it the most energetic song off the album. Others have natural fluency and instrumental hooks throughout that do not need specific techniques to hold empowerment, such as “Waves”.
Sleeper Agent vary along the lines of pop and rock often in About Last Night. “Impressed” will have fans reminisce of Sleeper Agent’s debut album Celabraison (2011). A classic, heavy bass and fast, strong riffs support its instrumentals. This slow clash of instruments in the refrain digs this band down to their indie rock roots, showing listeners their universal talents. The acoustic track “Lorena” has a light guitar sound and warmhearted vocals that play out a catchy and sweet chorus to highlight the song. These stragglers from the pack of pop rock tracks make Sleeper Agent’s multifaceted sound stand out from the rest.
The overall result of Sleeper Agent’s sophomore album, About Last Night, creates a more refined idea of their sound. While they get in touch with their indie rock style, they also add individual vivacity to carry out About Last Night with the upbeat and playful tone that identifies their unique sound. The positives outweigh the negatives when looking at the fascinating way they constructed this rich album. The variety of Sleeper Agent’s talents is something to look out for in the music industry. CrypticRock gives About Last Night 3.5 out of 5 stars.
- RCA
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