What sounds like a really bad combined tribute band to The Chainsmokers, Kool And The Gang and The 1975, is actually a really exciting electronic band. It is an electro-indie project headed up by American musician, Kamtin Mohager, who you might know from 3OH!3 fame. This fact makes me a lot happier than it should. 3OH!3 released precious few songs I remember, but those I do are all absolute classics.

But we’re aren’t here to talk about 3OH!3. Instead, we’ll focus on Sleepwalking, a festival stage-ready indie banger with enough synths, drums, and keyboards to knock your socks off. Mohager’s voice is deep and raspy, reminding me of prime Britpop era vocals, which is as high a compliment I can give. It comes from the band’s third studio album, 2014’s Daydream Forever, and shows the connections that Mohager has built in the industry. Produced by Isom Innis who is from festival regulars Foster The People, they have also worked with The Naked And Famous, making for some complex indie records.

Interestingly, the only track that Innis didn’t have a hand in producing was Sleepwalking. Mohager handled production himself and it does a slightly different feel to the rest of the album. Not too much, it was used as the promotional single at the back end of 2013 after all, but enough to make it sure to listeners where the creative decision making lies in this album.

Passion Pit, M83 and The Naked And Famous all spring to mind when listening to The Chain Gang Of 1974. This track is a refreshing change for this blog, and I forget where I first heard it. The band has been frequenters of the FIFA soundtrack, whilst Sleepwalking features on the Grand Theft Auto: V soundtrack, with over 20 million streams on Spotify (a mere 3 million from the album and single release). I’m a big fan and I think you will be too, especially if you’re looking to broaden your indie band intake in the midst of new music from Two Door Cinema Club, Foals, and Vampire Weekend.

 

Spotify Playlist Link: https://spoti.fi/2CKuVex