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Mar 06, 2019 By Christopher Roberts Sleeper

Britpop band Sleeper are releasing their first album in 21 years, The Modern Age, on March 22 via the band’s own label, Gorsky Records (no doubt named after their 1996 song “Good Luck Mr. Gorsky”). Previously they shared two songs from the album, “Look At You Now” and “The Sun Also Rises,” and now Under the Radar is excited to premiere the video for “The Sun Also Rises.” The video mixes together footage of the band performing the song on the beach with retro stock footage of vacationers doing water-sports. Watch it below, followed by the band’s upcoming tour dates and the single’s cover art.

Frontwoman Louise Wener had this to say about the video in a statement to Under the Radar: “After all this time away, we thought we could get away with not being in a video ever again. But it turns out we still enjoy poncing about in front of a camera, this time on a famous Brightonian’s seaside roof. Magically, the sun came out for the song. The video is a toast to heat and life and pure pop optimism. We could all do with some of that right now.”

Wener also had this to say about the song in a previous press release: “It’s a song about celebrating life. Living every moment, appreciating what you have and letting optimism back in.”

Sleeper were one of the notable artists in the 1990s Britpop scene (alongside Pulp, Blur, Oasis, Suede, Elastica, Supergrass, and several others). They had a devoted following, which led to eight Top 40 UK singles (including two that made the Top 10) and all three of their previous albums landing in the Top 10 in the UK, with their first two debuting at #5. They also covered Blondie’s “Atomic” for the Trainspotting soundtrack, one of the most iconic soundtracks of the 1990s (or really of all time). The band split up in 1998 following the release of their 1997-released third album, Pleased to Meet You. Wener had a successful writing career post-Sleeper, writing four novels and a 2010 autobiography. The band reformed in 2017 for some shows and another tour earlier this year. Sleeper’s current lineup also features original members Jon Stewart (guitar) and Andy Maclure (drums), as well as Kieron Pepper, who joined on bass in 2017.

Sleeper UK Tour Dates:

March:

21- GLASGOW, Garage
22- NEWCASTLE, Riverside
23- EDINBURGH, Liquid Rooms
28- SOUTHAMPTON, Engine Rooms
29- NORTHAMPTON, Roadmender
30- LEEDS, Church

April:

04- DERBY, The Venue
05- CARDIFF, The Globe
06- CALDERDALE, Trades Club
12- BRISTOL, 02 Academy
13- LONDON, Kentish Town Forum

May:

26- LANCASHIRE, Darwen Live

June:

28- HALIFAX, The Piece Hall (Supporting Embrace)

July:

14- READING, Readipop Festival
21- SHEFFIELD, Tramlines Festival

August:

02- HAVER, KENT, Neverworld Festival
25- WARWICKSHIRE, Camper Calling Festival
31- KNEBWORTH, Cool Britannia Festival (Curated by Jo Whiley)

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