SLEEPYARD – Head Values

The musically intriguing ensemble known as Sleepyard is something out of the ordinary as evidenced by this mesmerizing new output of theirs named “Head Values”. Solemn piano notes, ambient textures, field recordings, vintage-sounding synthesizers, ethereal vocals, flutes, pedal steel guitars, and percussion are some of the key ingredients here, and this particular output works wonders for the mind and soul. The fact of the matter is that “Head Values” has nothing to do with metal as such, but what you do get are captivating and melancholy atmospheres, dream-like soundscapes that conjure up a sense of the surreal, and a solid dose of something akin to a glimmer of hope and the feeling of walking through a lonely field on a cold and bright morning in spring. It takes time and patience on the part of the listener to penetrate and absorb, but it is well worth the effort as there are plenty of cool layers of sound to lose onself in.

If you find yourself hankering for some experimental ambient music with psychedelic pop overtones to it, I strongly suggest you try “Head Values” out. On a final note, Kjetil Manheim (Order, ex-Mayhem) makes an appearance on the album among many other talented musicians. One for the open-minded listeners out there then.