Sleigh Bells : Bunky Becky Birthday Boy
If 2010 is in any way a musically formative year for you, you no doubt remember Treats, the debut album by Sleigh Bells, fondly. The New York duo were a precursor to hyperpop and breathed rambunctious life into mainstream sounds during this period. And though follow-ups like Reign of Terror and Bitter Rivals didn’t quite reach the heights or cultural currency of their debut, Sleigh Bells amply demonstrated a commitment to blending contradictions. In many cases, that was rooted in mixing noise pop with disparate genres to conjure something challenging as it was enchanting.
On Sleigh Bells’ sixth LP, Bunky Becky Birthday Boy, the band continues its vivid exploration of dichotomy. Here, it is a celebration of where it has been and where its members are ostensibly headed. The album’s title itself is a nod to this very duality. It interweaves personal loss—a tribute to Riz, Alexis Krauss’ beloved pet and unofficial Sleigh Bells mascot—with the celebration of new beginnings symbolized by the arrival of her son. Such a contrast breathes life into every track, imbuing the record with an emotional texture that is fortunately mostly exuberant. The playful monikers of “Bunky Becky” and her companion character serve as recurring motifs, adding a bright layer to the undertones that pervade the work.
From the very first track, “Bunky Pop,” the album launches with an electrifying burst. a blend of jagged, incisive guitar work interlaced with hypnotic percussion with a splash of nostalgia. It lands a classic Sleigh Bells sound (think “Minnie”) with subtle updating throughout. It’s a fitting start; the band, comprising longtime collaborators whose bond and fans’ connection to them is very much built on high-spirited anthems, deliver triumphant music.
Sonically, the record seems to more passionately return to the style that made Sleigh Bells famous, with a decided turn toward more traditional rock compositions. Where recent outings like Kid Kruschev was weighed down by the political moment and Texis struggled with consistency, Bunky Becky Birthday Boy reunites with the band’s electropop aesthetics with a heavier dose of guitar. One moment, the duo conjures explosive pop fragments laced with thrashing, metallic riffs, such as on “Life Was Real” or “Badly,” while still staying catchy and accessible. The next, such as on “This Summer,” Sleigh Bells drift into spacious passages where each riff feels carefully sculpted. This rock/noise pop duality, captured in tracks like “Roxette Ric,” oscillate between kinetic bursts and evenly paced rhythms. While you may recall this blend in their discography, the LP is among its most cohesive statements in this regard, and feels like a fresh chapter in the band’s evolving journey. Bunky Becky Birthday Boy seems to intake the influence of past incarnations and reimagines them.
With mood-shifting tracks like “Can I Scream” and “Pulse Drips Quiet,” synths and chords seem like a warm respite after the blast of earlier cuts. One can detect hints of those earlier sonic adventures—a trace of drive in the guitars, a whisper of defiant melody in the vocal chants—but they are deftly integrated into a song that brings forth resonance and catchy hooks alike.
Derek Miller’s intricate production work is especially notable, as he melds live drumming sessions with layered, programmed elements in a way that defies easy categorization. The resulting soundscape on songs like “Real Special Cool Thing” is at once different and yet familiar. Krauss, in turn, steers the vocal narrative with a clarity that is both assertive and vulnerable; her performance overall conveys the confidence that has made her adored by so many fans over the years.
Bunky Becky Birthday Boy is a splendid reminder of Sleigh Bells’ enduring creative synergy. The album is a showcase for the duo’s many bold choices, from its unconventional textures to its more personal lyrics. It’s a reshaping of Sleigh Bells’ sound.
Label: Mom + Pop
Year: 2025
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