This fact is readily displayed In opening track “Aliens”, as Tate sings, “I think I might be different now/I think I’ve changed”. The a cappella introduction of his deep baritone is as unsettling as it is soothing; ominously understated synth-y ambiance hovers in the background, giving way to sporadically-placed snare shots and buzzy guitar licks, before all elements convene to round out the song. In stark contrast, the sound of the next track, aptly-named “Being Alone”, is warm and inviting with an infectious groove, the depth of Tate’s timbre countered with well-placed low end brass. “Go when you hear the call/Fly out, they’ll shoot you down”, he reflects on love in this album standout inspired by watching geese on a picturesque lake in the city.
While it’s obvious that these songs were born from deep thought, they aren’t self-important or pretentious; Tate has fun with us, and it’s evident in tracks like “Don’t Choke”, as he examines this time in his life and his new venture. “How do I know when the dream is over/Hopes are high and lights are dim/I wouldn’t know the familiar faces/The future’s eaten all my friends”, he sings in the verse, leading into a call-and-response chorus of celestial vocals singing “You’re gonna be great…don’t choke”, like an angelic pep talk, before looking for young, numb, dumb, fun amidst the easy groove and bass-centric synth riffs in “YNDF”.
There’s no misstep on this album; besides the fact that Tate’s goosebump-inducing voice makes my ears tingle, the skillful musicianship on each song is noteworthy, and gives every track a unique identity without ever sounding forced or inauthentic. Sleepwalker is a shining debut.
Purchase Sleepwalker: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sleepwalker/id1141470646