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Reviewed by Amanda Mills

Sleepers Union: Machines Of Love And Grace

Reviewed by Amanda Mills

Sleepers Union: Machines Of Love And Grace

Psych-pop quartet Sleepers Union released their first album ‘Giant Spheres’ in 2003, waiting 13 years to put out this new long player. There is a heavy dose of jangly alt-pop/rock on this record, with the anthemic Hello far too short at just over 90 seconds. Guitars, keyboards and more guitars are of huge appeal here, with the hypnotic, psychedelic instrumental Insect Breeder only one moment of trippy bliss. ‘Machines Of Love And Grace’ recalls a lot of 1990s alt-rock– unsurprising, since the band’s songwriters and sonic architects are Simon MacLaren (Love’s Ugly Children, The Subliminals), and Mark Anderson (The Onedin Line, Spider), with guest spots from Chris Heazlewood (King Loser), and Brendan Moran (Hasselhoff Experiment). The raucous sound is unashamedly ramshackle in places but the wall of guitars on Magic Hour is like a blast of fresh air, and contrasts with the sweet melodic pop of Satellite, which follows straight after, and is almost anomalous. Sleepers Union have created an endearing and charming album – a little bit Britpop, a little bit shoegaze, a bit Dunedin Sound-y and a lot enjoyable.