BADBADNOTGOOD and Charlotte Day Wilson have created the perfect elixir to accompany the peak fall foliage in “Sleeper,” a sultry neo-jazz serenade.
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“Sleeper” – BADBADNOTGOOD & Charlotte Day Wilson
Leaves are starting to turn, and the foliage is at its prettiest point right now.
The crux of fall arrives, colder temperatures impend, and things start to slow down and become calmer, almost drowsy.
BADBADNOTGOOD and Charlotte Day Wilson created the perfect elixir to attend to this feeling. The Canadian musicians recently released the single “Sleeper,” and in keeping with the tradition of their multiple collaborations, it’s a remarkable song. “Sleeper” was recorded at the legendary Valentine Recording Studios in Los Angeles on analog tape, bolstering the song’s old-school ambience. It was released via XL Recordings / Remote Control, and the single’s artwork was created by the artist Mark Krzepis, a fellow Canadian creative.
Heard she was a sleeper
Glad you found a dreamer
Pouring, life is sweeter
But bitter between her
Moved out of the city
Got your little home, and she
Told you it was pretty
And that was that
The pace is languid, buoying Day Wilson’s beautiful lower register. She describes two parties living in a fantasy, complacent and unquestioning, making use of each other to fulfill their own needs and desires, and not taking into account the other person’s reality. Here, what flies is being more attached to the idea of a person rather than taking in the actual experience of them. It’s being given a dream, served something on a shiny platter, and, not knowing what to do with it, finding the potential to sabotage it.
BADBADNOTGOOD and Charlotte Day Wilson first premiered “Sleeper” at the All Points East festival in London over the summer. They once again performed it to a rapturous response at a sold-out show in Toronto last weekend in support of Canadian singer-songwriter Daniel Caesar.
Referencing their working relationship and the creation of “Sleeper,” Day Wilson says that “‘Sleeper’ wrote itself… we were in the studio just messing around and the guys came up with the colorful instrumental while I freestyled the lyrics. The song portrays someone who chooses the path of least resistance and finds themselves in a lifeless, loveless relationship.”
But it’s not just a season
The shame that you’re keeping
Don’t even hurt no more
But you’re tired of sleeping
And waking up grieving
The life that you left behind
BADBADNOTGOOD excel when doling out mid tempo neo-jazz arrangements. The airy flute throughout lifts the production and gives balance to the song. The key change near the song’s end is keeping real, classic pop and R&B vibes afloat. To couple these elements with Day Wilson’s gorgeous, sultry vocals is a recipe for instant success.
The musicians previously collaborated on the superb “In Your Eyes” from the alt-jazz band’s fourth studio album, IV, in 2016, and again on “I Can Only Whisper” from Day Wilson’s 2021 debut album, ALPHA. They have also collaborated on several live shows, including their viral performance on the band’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert.
Caught in between her
In like a sleeper
Sold you a dream and you
Burned it to pieces
You found a love, too
Give it all on to
She takes your hand as she
Stares above you
If these previous efforts are any indication of the longevity and power of this partnership, there is hopefully still more world-class music to be made from BADBADNOTGOOD and Charlotte Day Wilson. And, considering the slew of comments on the song’s official visualizer video, the people have spoken: We need a full collab album already.
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“Sleeper” – BADBADNOTGOOD & Charlotte Day Wilson
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© Ivan Narez
© Ivan Narez
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