Take a romp with Night Bugs

Sarah Slean has long been described as waif-like and timid; and her songwriting has garnered many of the same comments. However, with the major label debut of Night Bugs, Slean has stepped out of that introverted persona and leaped into a life full of late nights at smoky jazz clubs, excess drinking, and participating in all-night sing-a-longs. At least that’s what Slean would want you to believe.

Although her previous independent releases, Universe and Blue Parade, were highly acclaimed by both fans and critics, the songs, for the most part, remained sad slow-tempo pieces, with not much in the way of new material. Night Bugs, on the other hand, gives the listener more variation, more contrast, more oomph. On Universe and Parade, the songwriting and arrangements are subtle and nuanced; while on Night Bugs, the songs, although still beautiful, have added chunk and are more in-your-face. This is, in part, due to co-producer Hawksley Workman, who has left an indelible impression and his signature edginess on the album, especially on revamped versions of Eliot and Weight.

Night Bugs exudes much more confidence than previously heard of in Slean. She sings with catchy lyricism on Sweet Ones, sometimes drunken cabaret on Eliot, and she even throws in a bit of emo-punk-ish rhythms on Drastic Measures. But with the seemingly new Sarah Slean, there still remains a certain familiarity on Night Bugs -- Me, I’m a Thief sweeps us away into a dreamy atmospheric journey only Slean can provide with her lilting vocals, and My Invitation intimately leaves us with only her and her piano, harkening back to her low-budget indie days.

All in all, Night Bugs is a good romp and great fun. Well done, Ms. Slean!