Review; Sleepdumb - "Self-Esteem Queen"

Channeling that dingy, gritty atmosphere adopted by many of the great grunge artists of the past, "Self-Esteem Queen" is a brilliant slice of psych-grunge from Isle of Wight trio Sleepdumb. Opening with a moody clean guitar, the psych elements of the track already start to make an appearance. Added reverb draws a darker feel from the instrumentation, further cultivating that fantastically moody aura, before classically "grungy" vocals inject more raw power into the track. The bridge of the track sees the instrumentation take centre stage, the section mostly instrumental except for some layered backing vocals that add depth. Heavier, screamed vocals are introduced for the finale of the song, bringing "Self-Esteem Queen" to a crushing crescendo. The single is a powerhouse of a debut, and a standout track within a genre that is in dire need of some new blood. It's an impressive release considering the trio only formed earlier this year, especially as they have already managed to find a sound which not only suits them perfectly, but is different to what many artists are doing right now. It's safe to say Sleepdumb are a band well worth watching, and it's exciting to see what the future may hold for them.

Listen to "Self-Esteem Queen" here Words by Alex Vickers