Winter in Chicago isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. But Sleepwalk frontman Ryan Davis actually looks forward to it. The inspiration for “Jan 22” arrived during a snowy walk home from practice.
“It’s a love letter to wintertime in the city, as well as a general celebration of life,” says Davis.
With its shimmering guitars, atmospheric synths and all-encompassing melody, the Chicago post-hardcore quartet’s latest single explores the more serene implications of its sound. It’s an accurate introduction to the more expansive musical territory Sleepwalk explores on the forthcoming View From The Outside (MNRK Heavy). The LP was tracked over a dozen days at Earth Analog, the Illinois studio owned by Hum guitarist/vocalist Matt Talbott. It also reunites Sleepwalk with producer Zac Montez (Whirr, Cloakroom), who worked on the band’s 2021 release, Underneath The Shade.
The Hum connection is particularly fitting, as Sleepwalk has drawn frequent comparisons to the Midwestern shoegaze pioneers. Following the heavier lead single “Sandbox,” the gentler approach of “Jan 22” reflects the larger philosophy behind View From The Outside, whose title suggests the benefits of looking beyond one’s immediate circumstances.
“It’s easy to focus on the bad things and miss the beauty,” says David.
We’re proud to premiere Sleepwalk’s “Jan 22.” Look for View From The Outside on November 13.
—Hobart Rowland
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