Sports’ self-titled album, set for release on the 20th February, is their fifth album release, and their first self-produced at their purpose-built studio at their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Sports have seen somewhat of a meteoric rise in stature since the early release of You Are The Right One back in 2015. Ten plus years down the line, it’s not only the listener numbers that are improving, with this self-titled album sure to be seen as a dreamy indie pop masterpiece.
The album takes you on what I can best describe as a good old night out. From cool wine bar type vibes of My Superstar. Closely followed by some time on the dancefloor with the heavier beats of Nice To Meet Myself (Bang Bang). And if you’re lucky, the night can finish off with the slower sway of Metaphors, bringing back a much-missed last dance style tune.
Though Sports certainly have their own sound going on, it’s hard not to hear little nods of influence from the likes of MGMT, Postal Service and Daft Punk, especially the Random Access Memories album. Packed with a mixture of fuzzy beats and clean crisp rhythms, bass to make you move, guitars and synth to strut to, and lyrics to sit up and take note of. This is a style of indie pop we could all get used to.
Sports are set to have a busy year touring, but we’ll have to wait till October for when they reach the UK, well worth the wait though.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying this album is ten years in the making, but given that this is Sports’ first self-produced album, there is a sense of freedom. No nuance of input from outside forces, just Christian Theriot and Cale Chronister of Sports doing what their friendship has brought them together to do, and it’s excellent.