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Album Thoughts

The album’s opening harmonic note immediately captivates the listener. It’s followed by a sultry drum beat layered with a dreamy summertime guitar riff that weaves throughout the song, creating a truly spiritual atmosphere. Within just 20 seconds, you sense that Art Of Sleeping is a tightly knit band with a profound understanding of crafting music that resonates deeply within the soul.  

Caleb Hodges’ deep and almost unnatural vocals create a striking contrast to the song’s summery upbeat feel.  “Win Your Heart” keeps listeners guessing. The verse feels almost stagnant as he confesses his intentions to win her heart, capturing the feeling of a one-sided relationship. The chorus then bursts in with a high treble ride souring over gritty power chords before settling back into the song’s summery shuffle of the riff and drum beat. This creates a match made in heaven. However, the bridge’s pulsating synth over the same guitar riff on a higher key builds tension, making you question the purpose of all this effort and whether you’ll give up. The chorus then delivers the outcome with the lyrics: “Don’t Tell Me I’m Too Far Down And I’m Sinking In / I’m Not Ready To Face It,” really showcasing the hurt and destruction a relationship like this can cause. This is one of the best starts to a pop rock album I’ve personally heard in a long time. 

“Crazy” is a beautiful blend of rock and jazz.  I know I mentioned jazz, but the bassline, combined with the New Orleans jazz shuffle and those lovely accents on the high hats, especially the open high hat during the chorus, create a truly captivating sound. The rolling drum fills and the breakdown at the start of the bridge before the pulsating beat emphasise the drummer’s work. It’s a gorgeous song that really showcases the drummer’s talent. He absolutely “went crazy” on this track.

“Jefferson” is a song that never really resonated with me. I think it’s quite similar and not particularly exciting, unlike the rest of this album. I feel they could have really pushed this song further. Perhaps a different time signature or a synth elements could have added to try something new and exciting. I remember listening to it the first time and being able to predict the drum roll and the abrupt ending of the song. 

Unlike its predecessor “I Could Make You Happy”, this synth rock tune initially seems dull. However, its progression reveals a captivating energy. A heavy synth line permeates the entire song, providing a steady and driving force.  The bridge arrives with a tropical beat, a complete shift that hits like a freight train before settling back into an echo of a soundscape. The bassline and synth create a perfect storm, allowing the band to jam out at the song’s end. The final minute is a chaotic yet perfect display of a band fully immersed in their music. 

Speaking of tropical beats, “Bleeding Out” begins like a classic 80s rock song with driving bass, gritty guitar and punchy lyrics. However, it takes a surprising turn between verses one and two. The low-end tombeats create a danceable feel, suggesting this song could easily be a club track.  Then, the Art Of Sleeping shifts the dynamic so creatively. They master the art of pushing and pulling, making the chorus perfectly fitting yet a cultural shock from what you’ve heard before. Not only do they excel at musical dynamics, but Caleb Hodges’ writing is equally impressive. Throughout the song, he sings about “Bleeding Out” and wishing he didn’t have to need someone. By the end, the dynamic shifts, he sings “What Am I Supposed To Do? / What Am I Supposed To Do? / What Am I Supposed To Do? / All Of My Happiness Is Breaking Into Pieces Of You”. Before the song stops, almost like he bleed out and lost the love. 

The cowbell accent in the song “I’m Not The One” is so distinctive that it really sets the whole vibe. It showcases the slower side of their music with a gradual rise and fall.  The accents are beautifully placed throughout, like the little piano piece before the second chorus that adds sparkle. The end of the song seamlessly blends into “Burning Bright” with the bassline fading out and flamenco-style playing starting up, creating a calming atmosphere that makes the punch of “Burning Bright” even more profound.

The intro line alone conveys the heartbreak in his voice and lyrics: “I Couldn’t Call You / I Don’t Know Why.” The storytelling is what makes this such a fantastic song.  Musically, the echoey, open guitar tone and recording make it sound like he’s professing his love directly to you. But for me, it’s the story that truly resonates. Powerful lyrics like the bridge, such as “So Why Do You Treat Me Like A Stranger?” and “So I Hide In My Stupid Songs / And You Hide In Your Head,” capture feelings we’ve all experienced.  

The stylistic choice of “If Only You Could Ease My Mind” with this vintage fuzz over the vocals, amplified like microphone distortion, is very clever. This effect is noticeable throughout the song, sometimes on the vocals and sometimes on the guitar. Overall, it gives the song a distinctly 60s rock feel in a modern context. The distortion on the guitar in “Voodoo” is incredibly high, almost Arctic Monkeys-esque. This grit really carries the tune. While the bassline and drums blend seamlessly, the distortion is essential; without it, the song would feel flat.

Just like the album’s opening track “The Cage”, it perfectly concludes the album. The soft nylon guitar intro transitions into a powerful guitar riff on the harmonics, accompanied by a punchy bass and heavy kick drum.  It builds up similarly to an Ocean Alley-style song, creating a train chugging feel. The whole track feels like a train steadily moving along the tracks, picking up speed in the chorus before slowing down again in the verses and bridges. The band truly jelled on this track, crafting a seamless and satisfying end. As it fades out, you feel a sense of contentment, knowing it’s the perfect conclusion.

This debut album was a masterclass in showcasing the band’s talent, discipline and creativity. It’s a sad shame they disbanded after its release, but at least we have this album to enjoy. What could have been… we’ll never know.

Track List

1. Win Your Heart
2. Crazy
3. Jefferson
4. I Could Make You Happy
5. Bleeding Out
6. I’m Not The One
7. Burning Bright
8. If Only You Could Ease My Mind
9. Voodoo
10. The Cage