Albums

Album Review: Sleepingdog

[Album: Polar Life]
[Label: Gizeh Records]

“Inspired by Iceland’s fitful climate and fairy-like atmosphere”, reads a line from the press release for Sleepingdog’s second album, ‘Polar Life’. Bad impressions immediately flood my brain as it conjures up pictures of a sloppy Sigur Ros covers band with plinky-plonk instruments running under a spoken Icelandic script. Great was my relief when opening track ‘Prophets’ met my ears and dashed these aforementioned fears. While influences like Sigur Ros, Mogwai and James Yorkston are ever-present, they never get to the point of overwhelming a song.

Sleepingdog is the project of one Miss Chantal Acda, with all songs being written, played and recorded in her Netherlands basement. Adam Wiltzie (Stars Of The Lids / Dead Texan) aided her in this particular musical endeavour, taking over the production and offering a speculative ear to the theme of the album. Indeed, it was his suggestion that only songs that focussed on smooth instrumentation and vocals should be used for this album, so the melancholic congruity of all the songs combined would enable it to escape the popular trend for categorisation. This undoubtedly works, as the tracks fit together seamlessly to provide a solid lullaby of dreamy, whispered vocals and lush, ethereal strings.

Acda’s voice is probably as close to celestial as any human is ever going to achieve. Constantly to the fore but never intrusive, their graceful clarity is captivating and perfectly matched to the languid elegance of the instrumentation. While maintaining a tempo just above lingering, the record is far from dull as the delicacy and unadorned nature of every song demands the listener’s attention throughout.

Tracks like ‘Sunshine Daylight’ and ‘When It Lies’ are perfect examples of pulling the listener in and keeping them there, trapped in the comforting folds of layered vocals and plucked acoustic guitar. Acda’s vulnerable vibrato at the beginning of ‘Little One’ exemplifies her way of translating physical theme into sound. Accompanied by just a xylophone, her child-like whispering voice carefully pronounces every word, sometimes by syllable, to create an eerie, grown-up nursery rhyme.

The whole album is complete and sublime, providing a healthy delectation for the listener’s soul. This is a collection of songs that are mentally satisfying as well as easy to listen to, and you get the definite sense that Sleepingdog achieved all it wanted to with this album; an elusive thing for most musicians.

For Fans Of: Mogwai, Iron & Wine, Glissando

Band Link:
Sleepingdog

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