Sleepy Eyes of Death - Streetlights for a Ribcage / Jatun - Jatun

Two releases I want to talk a bit about on here today. Yeah, that’s right…two. I rarely combine things on here, but both releases sort of share similar qualities to them and it seemed like a good idea to just post about both of them.

Anyway, first up is the debut LP from the Seattle based Sleepy Eyes of Death, which have one EP already under their belts and their debut, Streetlights for a Ribcage, was just released this past Tuesday in stores and online download sites such as iTunes, emusic, etc. Their bio states that they take a bit of influence from My Bloody Valentine and Kraftwerk, which is probably a fairly accurate way to describe their sound too. The band uses a number of keyboards and periodic guitar effects to create a very large sound but never to the point of overwhelming where it seem like it may be reaching the point of overkill. No, these guys pretty much know what they are doing and have made good use of every instrument and effect that they employ. It often reminds me of M83, which is actually stated in their bio too so I’m not actually that clever nor the first person to think that obviously. However, it shares that very textural and lush sound that some of M83’s earlier material contained. Not to slight the Sleepy Eyes of Death in any way, because this album is great, but it almost feels like it picks up where Dead Cities, Red Seas, and Lost Ghosts left off except a bit more delicate and at times even more epic. It’s just genuinely inspired and moving music that I imagine shoegazers out there will enjoy heavily. I know I am.

Sleepy Eyes of Death – Mean Time Till Failure [MP3]
Sleepy Eyes of Death – Cells Divide [MP3]

For those interested in picking up Streetlights for a Ribcage, it can be had online over at Sonic Boom Records.

The second album comes from the Portland duo Jatun, which consists of members Scott Worley and Alan Grosvenor. The two have been making music together since ’04 and just this year released their debut Self-Titled album through Other Electricities. As you might have guessed by this point, Jatun are another group that relies heavily on electronics to create their lush and textural sound. However, Jatun are a bit more rooted and influenced by actual electronica as opposed to completely focusing on the sweeping melodies and dreamy atmospheres that are often captured within their songs. The duo seamlessly mixes in scattershot beats here and there to help liven it up where need be. The result comes off as very fresh sounding. Jatun’s music won’t hit you immediately, as it isn’t aiming to create that “raise your fists in the air” type of explosiveness; however the thirteen songs included on the album float by gradually enveloping the listener in their soft fuzz tinged melodies. By the end it leaves one feeling practically otherworldly and throughout hints at feelings of melancholic nostalgia. I included the song “Bee Bee” on the mix for May awhile back and I’ve included it again below because it’s honestly one of the best pieces of instrumental music, electronic based or not, that I’ve heard this year and really I feel it captures more or less what Jatun do best.

Jatun – Bee Bee [MP3]
Jatun – Move it or Lose It [MP3]

Jatun’s debut is available now through Other Electricities, so head on over there and pick it up if you’re digging the songs above.