By Abi Falin
Matt, Ken, Jeffrey, and Jacob crossed paths while playing with their respective bands in the 2010s Salt Lake City music scene. They began collaborating in 2016, forming their indie rock band Sunsleeper and releasing their debut EP Stay the Same. Since then, they’ve gone on to release two full-length LPs, including their most recent album, While You Can.
While You Can is infused with emotions and themes felt during the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as a reflection of the time it was written and recorded. “The beginning of the pandemic majorly influenced the lyrical themes, as well as our sound itself,” Jeff told Provo Music Magazine. In addition to the pandemic influence, the band’s members each come from different musical backgrounds, and that can be felt in the eclectic mix of 90s alternative rock, with nostalgic influences like Weezer and the Strokes.
According to the band, the album imparts valuable “lessons of mindfulness.” One of my personal favorites from the record is “Stay Home,” a poignant recollection of familiar feelings experienced during 2020. It almost serves as an anthem for introverts, beautifully expressing how alone time can transform into beautiful moments shared with the one you love. The lyrics yearn for the simplicity of driving home to watch a movie; cutting loose from society: “I want to stay inside tonight, swimming in your eyes, I feel alright.”
“Feel What You Can” also hit me hard. It encapsulates feelings of regret and the sense of being unable to help an old friend: “I can only feel your heat when it’s leaving. Chasing years that are long spent. Warm summer pavement.” This song touched my heart in a way that’s hard to put into words.
Their poetic lyrics and resounding rhythms are almost otherworldly. At times, the vocals seem to blend into the music, creating an immersive experience like swimming in deep ocean water. The band’s Spotify description describes this feeling aptly as “reframing moments from an overwhelming past,” and I couldn’t have said it better. This is a great record.
Make sure to follow Sunsleeper on Instagram. You can listen to “Stay Home” below!