Los Angeles doomgaze outfit Iress bring cathartic elegance on third full-length album Sleep Now, In Reverse – an absorbing collection of tracks that sees the band at their most elevated.
There’s a yearning for escapism that Iress tap into on Sleep Now, In Reverse that is hauntingly visceral. This record reveals a tapestry of emotions woven by a ghastly infatuation that which you can’t help but be completely sedated by it. Add to that their enchanting (but no less heavy) take on doomgaze and you’re left with possibly one of the most revealing rock and metal releases of this year. And for this to be my very first exposure to them – it’s truly an insane thought to have.
Sleep Now, In Reverse marks the Los Angeles-based outfit’s third full-length album and it’s apparent the confidence instilled in each of these songs, beginning with the record itself and how it sways like candle flames lit in an empty room: strikingly intimate yet viciously overwhelming. Moody and somber are for sure feelings you’ll immediately experience upon first listen, but you’ll soon find out that there’s an intoxicating quality to the record’s sound; a sense of completely giving in that permeates throughout it, only heightened by the ardent blend of emotionally raw vocals and hefty instrumentals. Or at least that’s what I felt when I first stumbled upon this band through one of the album’s singles “Falling”.
‘It feels like the theme of Sleep Now, In Reverse is transformation. We have been through so much. I think we are finally where we need to be, and we know exactly where we want to go.‘
The above comment made by the band makes so much sense after having given the record various listens. Which is interesting to think about since one of the things that captivated me about Sleep Now, In Reverse was the way the songs leaned towards being anthemic, albeit in a manner that denoted a vital moment of cleansing rather than merely seeming grand in scope. “The Remains” is a great example of this; glimmering doom passages give way to a commanding vocal performance whose sardonic lyrical tug-and-pull makes the track that much more palpable. Similarly, “Mercy” tunes the doom down a notch to offer a shimmering iteration of slowcore that really shows how enveloping the instrumentation is, particularly the drumming.
Speaking of drums – the groove laid down on “Lovely (Forget Me Not)” is absolutely tasteful. Through this album, you’ll easily notice that Iress have found the satisfying balance of playing with dynamics, being able to shift tempos and volume without things ever seeming out of place. Whether it is the balladry of the goth rock-tinged “Leviathan (The Fog)” or the miasmic grit that takes hold on “Knell Mera”, the cohesion in their songwriting is very much a catalyst to lose yourself in the album with no struggle whatsoever. The guitars notably take charge on the latter, starting with a pummeling intro that flourishes into a beautifully harrowing waltz-esque piece of work slightly reminiscent of Katatonia‘s later outputs.
“Sanctuary” then follows suit, a song I consider to be the record’s crowning moment. It’s as if all the previous tracks were setting a precedent for this one – the brooding, almost cavernous cut merging all the sonic qualities presented thus far into a riveting exhibition of doomgaze that Iress have successfully achieved with this album. Plaintive arrangements roam around in shimmering carelessness that builds up into a stirring sonic tempest, with the vocals being subtle yet also displaying some of the most impassioned vocal showcasing you’ll come across this year. The ‘I see red‘ refrain throughout the song is especially hair-raising considering how the line is delivered through cracking whispers, imposing reverence, and agonizing wails.
There is one word that ultimately describes Sleep Now, In Reverse, and that is poise. Even with the record’s bereft meanderings and the fervor that characterizes the band’s overall performance in it, there’s delicacy to all the emotional heft that set Iress apart from other doomgaze acts. Sure enough, this is the album that will mark them on the map – or at least that’s what I hope for – because there is so much here to reflect, appreciate, and enjoy. It goes without saying that this is a record you do not want to miss out, and it’s truly luck to be introduced to a band such as this one in this fashion.