Happy Particles self-released Under Sleeping Waves quietly made itself known on December 25th. A questionable choice of date perhaps, as it’s a day when many people aren’t really paying attention to anything other than eating a weeks worth of food in a single sitting. Still, Happy Particles seem to have made quite an impression, grabbing a spot (just) in the Scotsman/Radar Bands of 2011, so maybe they know something that I don’t.
Under Sleeping Waves is a shoe-gazey, ambient affair, that has been compared to early Sigur Rós. Personally, I think they have much more in common with Antlers, but then comparison is hardly an exact science, and I suppose that neither would be an uncomfortable bedfellow for Happy Particles. Landscape breadth, constellations of twinkling glockenspiel melodies and altar boy vocals make for an inspiringly moving sound.
And strings. Lovely strings.
Stream the whole album above. Then buy it here.