Sleep Nation’s newest release, titled ‘Red Guitar’ is an emotional hard-hitter about the ups and downs of a relationship. As many listeners might be able to relate to, breakups are not easy and this song touches on the aftermath of a relationship leaving you broken. The melody throughout the piece reflects the delicate emotional state of the singer, as he guides the listener through pain and healing.
The lyrics shine a light on the specifics of the relationship with lines like, “With every breath you took/ Every guy who looked upon the beauty that you made/ It was your body that you gave/ Your siren song was a game that we all played”. While still being draped in an air of metaphor, it is still made clear what really happened between the couple. Infidelity aside, the description of a past partner as “beautiful” shows an even deeper layer to the situation. It’s clear the wounds are still healing, and there might even be some love still lingering, despite all the pain his lover has caused him.
Their new music video for the single starts off glamorous. The singer dawns a silvery jacket, as a background of tinsel hangs behind the duo. They come in guns blazing with an energy that is electrifying. This only continues as the video progresses and they shift to the interior and play in a parking lot. Both men are clearly giving it their all in their performance on the screen, and it pairs perfectly with the emotional intensity of the song.
While they never let their heroes from decades past drift too far out of the rearview, one thing’s for certain: the boys of Sleep Nation have their sights set on the future of rock ‘n’ roll. The project was conceived by lead vocalist Bran Merritt in 2010. Drummer Joey Lauretta responded to Merritt’s Facebook ad, the two clicked instantly, and the rest is history! The name “Sleep Nation” was a product of both Anne Le Dressay’s “Sleep is a Country” and Merritt and Lauretta’s habit of sleeping into the afternoon after staying up late writing songs.
