_{By Trevor Myers}

Sleep Cult.

The name of this band was all it took to spark my interest. Read it again: Sleep Cult. With a name as cool as that, how can you not want to hear their music? A quick search on Spotify brought up their bio, which said they’re a “Garage Punk band,” and that hooked me in even more. 

Sleep Cult is based in Salt Lake City, and despite the fact that they have only been releasing music on Spotify since 2021, the very first project they released was a 10-song album. Since then, they have released a handful of singles that were included on 2022’s Sleepy Eyes, before they released a live album in 2023. 

Sleepy Eyes — in all its punky, garage-y glory — is 40 minutes of chaos and stage presence compressed into 17 tracks. The production and instrumentals on each track are tastefully done. So, the fact that Sleep Cult has less than 1,000 monthly listeners on Spotify was surprising.

There’s just something about the slightly muffled vocals and rapid guitar and cymbal crashes that make the songs on Sleepy Eyes sound like the kind music you would hear in a movie’s battle of the bands. Sleep Cult is like the cooler, punkier cousin of Sex Bob-Omb. Sleepy Eyes has all the energy you would need to be the soundtrack of whatever the h*ck you want. You could jam out to it while driving fast (legally), or while you’re working out. Or while fighting off your crush’s seven evil exes. 

The record’s penultimate (and title) track is almost a lullaby. Almost. “Sleepy Eyes” opens with a chill melody plucked on the guitar before the vocals and drums come in. The tempo gradually picks up, matching the desperation of the drums and the vocals as they scream, “Run.” The track teeters between intense instrumentals with vicious vocals and the slightly softer singing over the lullaby-like licks. You can hear the intensity and emotion with which each instrument is being played. One listen of the song is explanation enough for why the entire album shares a name with it. 

Another standout track on the record is “F.P.C.F.”, and if you’re unsure what it stands for, Sleep Cult will tell you within the first two seconds of the track. Hearing the band yell out the song’s namesake before the instruments kick in is a pretty sick introduction. “F.P.C.F.” dials the frantic guitar and screaming vocals up to 11; this track probably has some of the best screams on the record. From start to finish, the song feels like the most accurately named on the album. 

The muffled vocals add to the whole garage punk vibe, and almost lend an old-school feel to the album. However, when the songs have softer vocals but keep some stronger instrumentals, the muffling may hold the singing back. Contrasting clear vocals with more distorted instruments could be a fun combination in the future. Either way, it sounds like Sleep Cult has a blast playing and singing their music and that energy dances across the soundwaves and into your bloodstream. 

Sleep Cult crafts songs that showcase a sort of curated chaos; Sleepy Eyes is an album that deserves more recognition. Sleep Cult’s first two albums conclude with tracks called “Sloppy Jam 1” and “Sloppy Jam 2”, with the numbers coinciding with the album they appear on. These last tracks provide the final burst of energy to tie the albums up. While they have a pretty classic sound, Sleep Cult brings a boatload of fresh energy to the scene. 

Make sure to join the cult — sorry, follow Sleep Cult on Instagram. Listen to “Sleepy Eyes” below.