Album Review

S3, as I call them when in the mood for abbreviations, because it‘s just funnier that way, first turned heads with their debut full-length Correlation: Escapism a year and a half or so ago, showcasing an insanely young band(at that point certain members were barely halfway through high school) that was already crafting epic rock songs, combining virtuosity, lyricism and poise - and impressing a lot of people. At that point they were an independent band, but with a record that good, it was only a matter of time before someone stepped up, and Sonic Unyon dug into the batter‘s box to release this five-song EP. The production is superior here, as it should be, and Sleeper Set Sail sound great, continuing to carve out their niche in a very crowded southern-Ontario scene. A rock-solid, innovative rhythm section anchors dual guitars that stand out: lush chords here, astral picking there, power chords where needed. Man, this sounds good to these ears. ‘Lifejacket‘ leads off the EP, displaying everything that Sleeper does well, with ‘The Redeemer‘ employing start/stop time signatures with etheral guitar work, underpinned by that always-forward-thinking rhythm. ‘Patterns In Your Dash‘ builds and propels like Clarity-era Jimmy Eat World, with synthesizer adding some welcome texture. ‘Redeemer‘, ‘Patterns‘ and fourth track ‘Phases‘ are all reworked from Correlation, and sound the better for it; ‘Phases‘, with its angular, off-kilter measures and wandering guitar reminds one of .hopesfall circa The Satellite Years, with just the right amount of heaviness underneath, threatening to erupt. ‘People Say It Makes Me Look Younger‘ rounds out this EP with four minutes of delicate drums and twinkling guitars, lilting and gorgeous, before the song flowers into being - sounds kinda like Moneen slowed waaaay down. A very solid proper debut for Sleeper, this points the way to great things.

- Mike Postma

[Sleeper Set Sail] [Sonic Unyon]

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