Sleep Walking Animals – Dance Laura Dance (2021)
Describing themselves as an alt-folk band, UK-based quintet Sleep Walking Animals blends classic folk with contemporary alternative rock. Think of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young meshed with The Calling and a twinkling of America, then you will have Sleep Walking Animals. While the group only began releasing singles as of 2021, they began breeding this new type of contemporary folk since 2019. With coverage from It’s All Indie, A&R Factory, YMX, Less Than 1000 Followers and Indie Music Centre, the band is turning the head of listeners across the globe. The latest addition to their well-received discography is the single ‘Dance Laura Dance’.
Following the folk-inspired single ‘Wild Folk’, ‘Dance Laura Dance’ is filled with intimacy, intensity and versatility. Recorded at Green Velvet Studios in Stockport, the track has an interesting musical arrangement offering each instrument prominence but coming together as a kaleidoscopic whole. Reminiscent of old-school Mumford & Sons, the latest single has a robust, rich melody; however, it is Tom Glynn-Carney’s bold vocals that act as a gossamer blanket encapsulating dynamic guitars, pounding drums and charming percussion.
Yes, the song has a melodic flow in a soothing, smooth way, but it is the profound lyricism that showcases Sleep Walking Animals’ depth. Written in the aftermath of a friend’s cancer survival, ‘Dance Laura Dance’ is a hopeful track expressing, as the group says, “a yearning to feel things deeper and to live life fuller.” Yet, while there is a strong execution of hopefulness, empowerment and positivity, ‘Dance Laura Dance’ walks the line between jovial optimism and the anxiety of wanting to dance but being too afraid.
Introspective and reflective, ‘Dance Laura Dance’ is both mature and innocent. A soul-stirring sophistication is noted in the melody, but there is an impassioned childishness in the heartfelt lyricism. Overall, I just love their music and cannot wait for the upcoming debut EP.
In addition to their single, Sleep Walking Animals released an official music video for ‘Dance Laura Dance’. You can view it on their YouTube Channel.
For more from Sleep Walking Animals check out their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
