The Arsonist
Not The Sleeper, 2026
9/10
This sophomore album from London’s Where We Sleep (i.e. Beth Rettig) sees the artist exploring her own personal vision, where a cathartic delivery surrounds the 10 diverse tracks.
“Under A Big Sky” opens with thumping drums and emotive vocals via the mesmerizing start, and “Headlong” follows with buzzing guitars from Mark Wallbridge that aligns with underlying melody in the raw climate.
“Broken Bones” and “Outside” land in the middle. The former emits beats and plenty of atmosphere in its ominous landscape, while the latter enlists Rettig and Debbie Smith’s chunky guitars amid the post-punk fueled album highlight.
Late in the listen, “Brutal Truth And Bloodshed” places Jo Gate-Eastley on bass to complement the cinematic version of electronica, and “Exhale” exits with a distinct darkness that meshes with the swirling guitars and sturdy beats.
If bands like Garbage, NIN or Massive Attack occupy space in your collection, Where We Sleep should lay its head there, too, thanks to Rettig’s atypical mashing of electronic-rock and punk attitude.
Travels well with: Crayola Lecturn- Disasternoon; Lone Assembly- Knots & Chains