T.S. Eliot once famously claimed, âOnly those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.â
Risk catalyzes Sleeping With Sirens on their fifth full-length and first for Warner Bros. Records, Gossip. Through taking quantum sonic leaps, the quintetâKellin Quinn [vocals, keyboards], Jack Fowler [lead guitar], Nick Martin [rhythm guitar], Justin Hills [bass], and Gabe Barham [drums]âreach the artistic heights they began angling for nearly 10 years ago, while amplifying musical hallmarks such as soaring and soul-striking vocals, wildly catchy riffing, and intricate beats.Â
At its heart, the record reflects not only creative progression, but personal as wellâŠ
âThe story of Gossip really begins in me transitioning from a boy to a man,â admits Kellin. âI grew up basically my entire life playing music in this group. This record is me figuring out who Iâm supposed to be as a musician, a husband, and a father. Itâs a hard, scary, rewarding, and daring process that gets chronicled in the lyrics. Musically, I feel like itâs the first Sirens record that sounds specifically like us. We took chances, experimented, and continued to do what we do best: create art. Itâs something new. It has an authentic sound that weâve been working towards all this time.âAfter a whirlwind 2016, the guys hunkered down in January 2017 and commenced work on what would become Gossip for the next six months.
The sessions earmarked a few firsts for Sleeping With Sirens. Itâs the first time that they recorded in multiple states, working everywhere from Los Angeles and Nashville to New Jersey. Itâs also the first time they collaborated with producer David Bendeth [Paramore, All Time Low]. Often tackling one vocal or guitar part for eight hours straight, the musicians meticulously tapped into what Kellin dubs an âElectricâ energy.
âWe finally captured the live experience with Bendeth,â says the frontman. âWe have the production, but thereâs a rawness that comes through. David is very old school. He really pushed us, and we pushed ourselves. We realized what we could do as artists, and we evolved.âThat growth shines through the first single âLegends.â Piano and drums resound as Kellin empoweringly chants, âWe could be legends after all.â Itâs a triumphant call-to-arms bolstered by swells of hulking hooks and guitar.
âItâs about looking at your life and all of the obstacles in front of you and maintaining faith, belief, and love in yourself no matter what,â he goes on. âIf you want to be somebody great, you must have that confidence. Weâre in an age where everyone is surrounded by social media and constantly being judged. Â So strength comes from within. Itâs a reminder that the work and time will pay off in the end.âOver propulsive clapping on the title track âGossip,â Kellin presciently croons, âI got that new sound and when I come âround Iâll be your nightmare, Iâm coming for you donât be scared.â It sums up the albumâs mission statement, proudly addressing the evolution over snapping six-string distortion and the scorching falsetto that turned the conversation towards Sleeping With Sirens in the first place.
âThe song discusses what people say about you,â he explains. âIt correlates to social media again and how humans generally act. Everybody always has an opinion, whether itâs good or bad. Itâs such a different record for us. We took the leap. We stand behind it.â
Gossip signals the start of another chapter for the band as well. In 2017, they inked their first major label deal with Warner Bros. Records as Kellin puts it, âThey operate like an indie and automatically felt like family. It was like the stars aligned.â
Ultimately, the risks yield Sleeping With Sirensâ boldest, brightest, and best work to date.
âNo matter what anyone says, I Â want to encourage listeners to take risks of their own,â Kellin leaves off. âOur band took a chance. Weâre going to back it. Thatâs all you can do as an artist. This is my diary. Itâs who I am.â
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