Back in the plague ridden, lockdown times of 2020 I was scanning my Bandcamp feed one day for something new to listen to. It was then I discovered Lawrence, Kansas based duo Sweeping Promises. Their debut album Hunger For a Way Out immediately caught my attention with its prescient title. When I listened to the songs though, I was hooked. The production sounded like something from a DIY label in the 70’s. Potent firebrand punky riffs with CBGB vocals had me skipping that needle back to the start time and again.
In 2023 they return to us with their new album, Good Living Is Coming For You. Such a hopeful optimistic title, or is it a threat?? But who are Sweeping Promises?
“Sweeping Promises are Lira Mondal and Caufield Schnug. A chance meeting in Arkansas led to a decade of playing in an eclectic assortment of projects together. Their relentless practice made perfect. Bass playing Lira is an emotive bolt of thunderous energy with the iconic blast of a girl group rolled into one robust throat. Caufield is an intentional guitar player and drummer. “
“Together they are meticulous sound engineers, using space as a key ingredient to their distinct sound. Controlling every aspect of their craft, from the first note they write together, all the way through to the final mastering process, each record is an unspoiled fingerprint unique to their dynamic chemistry.”
Let’s dive in and see what they have on offer for us.
We kick off with the lead single ‘Eraser’. Like their debut album we are off at pace. That punky spirit hasn’t faded between albums and has only intensified. Mondal almost spits out lyrics “She’s efficient, She’s so vicious”. The song sounds like an ode to that inner demon in all of us. The spiky guitar and modal synth now that trademark Sweeping Promises sound in full effect. It’s great opener and rings in the changes with an acapella intro.
‘Shadow Me’ however, is led by the bass intro into a twisted fifties style girl group pop song. This is totally new and highly effective. Mondal is on fine form vocally with Schnug supplying some neat riffs to mix things up. The hanging note to end the song I liked too.
It’s the turn of the title track next. Now this is something totally new. The drums pound out a slow march while the band hang their sparse melody in the spaces it provides. The guitars scream and wail while Mondal’s vocal adopts a guttural growl in places really making you sit up and pay attention. This is darker territory for the band but, my god, they are absolutely owning it.
The intriguingly titled ‘Connoisseur of Salt’ follows with a pacey delivery, Guitars give way to synths in the chorus sections allowing for a variety in tone and texture. Latterly what sounds like a saxophone is employed in a most unusual way. I normally find the saxophone a quite obnoxious sounding instrument, here it’s used like a guitar, playing a short riff. It’s really effective.
‘Walk in Place’ takes us to the disco. That discordant sax sound again being used as a texture rather than a noodle some lead instrument. There’s something optimistic about this track which makes it stand out from the dark tone set by the album so far. This is still Sweeping Promises but my how they’ve grown.
We’re back to that CBGB sound for ‘You Shatter’, the sparse sound they forged on Hunger For A Way Out now fatter, rounder and in sepia tones. I can visualise this as a soundtrack to a short detective movie. It’s no wonder they’ve chosen this as our second taster for the album.
It’s off on a musical tangent next with ‘Petit Four’. This album really keeps you on your toes. Whilst all the musical palate is familiar the band now take us into Europop with a slice of Teutonic whimsy. This is a gem of a track. Mondal really exploring every corner of this one and providing the phattest of basslines. This is going to be one to hear live!!
‘Can’t Hide It’ is reminiscent of early 80’s Specials at the start with the mono note delivery. This soon takes a widescreen stance as the guitars switch things up. Short stabbing riffs are the order of the day with the vocal harmonies in sympathetic response. For me this is the band at their most evolved. This feels like a band on album four or five.
‘Throw of the Dice’ seems to sense my enjoyment and throws another gorgeous pop melody my way. This is, again, a simplistic melody but it’s what this band does within the confines of these four chords that sets them apart. It could be the switch from the breathless delivery of the verses into the soaring chorus. It could be intricate guitar work playing of that potent bassline. Whatever it is, it’s got me smiling.
All too soon we’ve reached the final track. Is that ideal? ‘Ideal No’ is so much fun. You can hear how fun the band are having. It’s screaming from the speakers. The bass is skipping along while Mondal delivers an ecstatic vocal. Schnug knows that the vocal is core to this one so sits the synth and guitar neatly in those gaps. What a way to finish.
Sweeping Promises could so easily have delivered us Hunger For A Way Out 2. Instead, they have taken the space and time to really explore what they can do together with their instruments. I have no doubt that this is just the beginning of that evolution in their sound and we have a lot to look forward to in the future. But for now, let’s just enjoy these ten tracks and wonder at the musicians, the sonic sculptors whose art we adore.
Sweeping Promises release ‘Good Living Is Coming For You’ on vinyl, digital, CD and Tape, June 30th via Feel It Records and Sub Pop Records. You can also grab a copy from the groups Bandcamp page too.
Follow Sweeping Promises on social media here….
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