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Sleep ∞ Over | Forever

Hippos In Tanks (2011)
By PATRICK MCDERMOTT  |  October 4, 2011
3.5 3.5 Stars

sleepover-m

Of all the underground scenes causing a stir in the online music community, the sleepy lo-fi that's been coming out of Austin might be the least effervescent. But Stefanie Franciotti — who makes ambient electro-pop under the moniker Sleep8Over — seems content churning out warped, haunting headphone music from her Austex bedroom. Debut album Forever is a textural, cohesive release full of wispy vocals, lazy synths, and retro drum loops. On "Romantic Streams," the record's most conventional pop song, she sounds like a sedated Kate Bush singing over a synth line that wouldn't be out of place on Washed Out's latest effort. Hypnotic standouts like "The Heavens Turn by Themselves" and lead single "Casual Diamond" are as chilling as they are heartbreaking, whereas less accessible tracks like "Behind Closed Doors" and "Cryingame" drone along in a gloomy psychedelia. Forever's finest is "Stickers," a distorted love song wrapped in layers of reverb and heartache. On the whole, Forever is downcast, introspective, and melodic. Just don't put it on at a party — wait until after, when you're alone, half-high, and wondering what the hell you're doing with your life.
Related: Various Artists | Casual Victim Pile: Austin 2010, Blank Dogs | Collected By Itself 2006-2009, Ming Ming | Ultrameta OK, More more >
  Topics: CD Reviews , Music, CD reviews, Austin,  More more >
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ARTICLES BY PATRICK MCDERMOTT
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  •   SLEEP ∞ OVER | FOREVER  |  October 04, 2011
    Of all the underground scenes causing a stir in the online music community, the sleepy lo-fi that's been coming out of Austin might be the least effervescent.
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 See all articles by: PATRICK MCDERMOTT

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