Stemming from the fair city, Big Sleep are known as heavy hitters when it comes to a live show. Pulling off a show under the m50 to sold out tours. Created by vocalist Rónán Connolly and drummer Matteo Poli before a chance meeting at a rave brought bassist Aiden Gray and guitarist Naiara Clarke LaFuente into the trajectory showing it was just meant to be.
With a collection of EPs under their belt, can they transfer this creativity and uniqueness onto a full album, or will it fall flat?
Atmospheric guitar playing runs through ‘Don’t You Wanna’ allowing the rhythm section to bounce off the walls. Simple yet effective hook reminisces that golden era of 2010’s ‘Indie’ (Catfish, Vaccines and Sundra Karma etc). Contrast between male and female creates a sweet harmony.
Opening with a bassline that captivates a heartbeat, ‘Ruminate’ has distant vocals spoken through a phone. Acting like the glue, the drums weave through as the guitar ducks and only adds when necessary.
Making its brief comeback, ‘Top of the Pops’ is calming and smooth like something The Night Café would produce. The Chorus offers the lead and female vocals having a conversation like a relationship that was right person, wrong time.
‘Crude’ was the latest single from the album, jangly guitar and melancholy lyrics being described by the band as “Someone whose innocence remains intact, and whose hearts stay open, even after the world hasn’t been kind to them.” Emotion leaks into every aspect.
Without being a heartbreaker, ‘Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo’ has an infectious beat and a guitar that conveys happiness that the lyrics don’t evoke.
Electronic guitar playing is integrated throughout ‘Flatline’ with lyric delivery similar to Yard Act but adding melody. Bassline is underlying and reprints the electronic aspects.
Industrial drum beat and aggressive guitars crusade through ‘Bruiser’. Backing vocals and lead vocals argue over the chorus like devil and angel on the shoulder. Rap like delivery during the verses. Hostility runs through it, waiting for a fight in a dive bar.
‘Long Time’ could be straight from ‘Only by the Night’ by Kings of Leon with lyrics talking to a past lover knowing you can’t get them back. Echoing guitars and drums that pound creating the sensation of being sat in a container.
Impending drumbeat accompanies ‘Be Alright’ with positive and forthlooking lyrics compared to the rest. Guitars act like the lines of the page that the vocals write on. The baseline is the countdown to the summer that’s talked about.
Starting alike to ‘Moonlight Mile’ by The Rolling Stones, ‘Old Friend’ is reminiscent and offers traditional aspects. Harmonies offer layers on top of the acoustic guitar which has a childlike innocence. The laughs on the end add to the memories remembered.
‘Holy Show’ offers chaos and messiness (where it gets its name from) that everyone can identify with. Touching on relationships, heartbreak and memories to a degree that only comes with going through it. The band is a unit, and the heavy gigging has paid off. The use of female and male vocals is a highlight and is used to tell stories. Heavier songs like ‘Bruiser’ and ‘Long Time’ show the efficiency of the rhythm section. Guitars offer catch riffs throughout. ‘Bruiser’ has been on constant rotation since first listen. This album should push the band onto everyone’s lips and further into the ever-thriving live scene.
Big Sleep: Holy Show – Out 20 February 2026 (LAB Records)
