One of the most depressing moments of 2020 was the fact that we did not get to properly celebrate the tenth anniversary of Sleigh Bells’ landmark debut album Treats. The 2010 album is a classic, in my opinion — modern music and particularly the hyperpop movement would simply not be relevant today without the bubblegum-y vocals of Alexis Krauss and the intense, thrashing guitars of Derek Miller.
Thankfully, today we have something new from Sleigh Bells to make up for that loss. Texis is their new album out on September 10 via Mom + Pop Records, and if lead single “Locust Laced” is any indication, we might get to thrash around again. Texis is the first new music from the band since 2017’s Kid Kruschev EP, and Miller offered the following to describe the album:
“We stopped worrying about whether or not we’re in or out of our comfort zone, or if we were being repetitive or formulaic. The thing I’m most attracted to is the juxtaposition of happy and sad, melancholy and hope — a lot of this is about trying to hold on to a shred of optimism through sheer force of will, and I hope this music can give people some joyful energy and confidence.”
As previously mentioned, “Locust Laced” is fully actualized Sleigh Bells — sweet melodies on top of blown out drums and metal guitar riffs. It’s a joy to have them back. Watch the entertaining music video directed by Kills Birds’ Nina Ljeti below, and then check out their 2021 and 2022 tour dates.
2021
10/5 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
10/6 – Richmond, VA – The Broadberry
10/8 – Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge
10/9 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground
10/10 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage Theater
10/12 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
10/13 – Austin, TX – Mohawk
10/15 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
10/17 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre
10/18 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall
10/20 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
10/21 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom
10/23 – Oakland, CA – The New Parish
10/26 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
10/27 – Vancouver, BC – Venue Nightclub
10/28 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox
2022
2/8 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
2/9 – Cincinnati, OH – The Ballroom at Taft Theatre
2/11 – St. Louis, MO – Red Flag
2/12 – Kansas City, MO – The Truman
2/13 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown
2/15 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall Ballroom
2/16 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
2/18 – Chicago, IL – Metro
2/19 – Detroit, MI – The Magic Stick
2/21 – Toronto, ON – The Axis Club
2/23 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
2/24 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
2/25 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel
2/27 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts
