ALBUM REVIEW: SO WHAT? – While She Sleeps

WHILE SHE SLEEPS have come a long way since they burst onto the scene thanks to a free CD in Metal Hammer back at the turn of the decade. The metalcore titans from Sheffield have ploughed a confident career over their previous works. Developing to become a true standard bearer of the scene, the consistency that is associated with their music is undeniable, and has contributed to the buzz that begins to grow with the imminence of a new WHILE SHE SLEEPS release. The buzz certainly feels less present than before, but that can come down to how quickly SO WHAT? was announced, and also the fact it follows on from the frankly epic You Are We cycle. Despite this, the band have continued to brew their distinct brand of DIY heaviness and have a lot more in store than most people will likely be ready for.

There is a surprising throwback vibe with the swelling atmospheres and the almost nu-metal opening bars of Anti-Social. The familiar grooves and fantastic bass are quickly brought into the spotlight though, immediately showcasing the crystal clear sound that WHILE SHE SLEEPS have built for themselves. Never fearful of slowly introducing improvements on past sounds, and this time round is no different for the band, but in the process of enjoying the well layered there are moments that require a double take. Moments like the title melody of Anti-Social, that features a weird croon that takes more than a few listens to get comfortable with, or even the synths that lurk in the background of Inspire before lurching onto centre stage. These offer the first real glimpses into the new instrumentals that are peppered throughout the record.

With all of these fresh spices added to the broth, there does come with it an overwhelming sense that even the kitchen sink has been thrown in. At every turn the band seek to try something new. Whether that’s new vocal territory with the semi-rapped delivery in Haunt Me or Anti-Social, or perhaps the choral endings of I’ve Seen It All, the stripped back and clear pop influence of Set You Free and the sampled start of The Guilty Party. Amongst all of these new additions to the WHILE SHE SLEEPS sound, I’ve Seen It All kicks off with epic, siren guitars and even hosts one of the best chorus moments the band have ever done, clearly nailing the blueprint they started work on in the You Are We cycle.

There is a feel of sonic discovery on SO WHAT?, and it is one of the strongest things about the record as a whole, despite the shortcomings. Taking the boat even further out of the harbour, WHILE SHE SLEEPS display a sense of adventure in SO WHAT? that in turn brings some of the finest moments of clarity the group have ever penned. The title track being one such example, as it effortlessly unfolds across its run time, boasting a massive chorus and one of the best moments on the album during its bridge.

Musical discovery is a fantastic thing, but it does bring with it a fresh set of difficulties. Because of the song depth, there is a tremendous sense of bloating. Whilst every song benefits from feeling unique in the track listing, the relentless means that songs like Elephant can dive from grooving This Is The Six metalcore before more crooning vocal melodies are switched in their place. Whilst not a jarring transition, it simply serves to highlight how bloated and filled some of the songs can be. SO WHAT? quickly becomes an album that shows the band at their creative peak, but like an assault rifle in a firing range, sometimes fail to keep their barrage in an accurate, tight bullseye.

The hit and miss nature of the record is definitely more hit than miss. WHILE SHE SLEEPS have further highlighted their genre mastery, and where they may fail in their intrepid creativity, the fearlessness with which they do it more than justifies the attempt. Where quieter and more modest numbers like Good Grief may not make the same impact as other WHILE SHE SLEEPS numbers of the same ilk, there are still enough highlights on SO WHAT? to warrant a fresh freakout over how fucking brilliant WHILE SHE SLEEPS actually are. SO WHAT? is a complete experience that lacks the natural feel of their earlier material and instead replaces it with a deliberate journey into fresh creative pastures armed to the teeth with everything the band do so bloody well, which is quite a lot as it turns out.

Rating: 8/10

SO WHAT? is set for release March 1st via Sleeps Brothers/Spinefarm Records.

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