Where We Sleep – The Arsonist
Where We Sleep announce the release of second album The Arsonist, out June 5 via Not The Sleeper Records, fully performed, produced and recorded by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Beth Rettig, the album is mixed and mastered by renowned producer Guy Fixsen (My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Lush)
Electronic post-punk indie rock goddess Beth Rettig took a detour from previous incarnation BLiNDNESS to create a new canvas, Where We Sleep, a space to express her own personal vision and route to catharsis. The Arsonist is a collection of tracks tackling themes of personal growth, vulnerability and transformation. Accompanied by a raw and acute honesty, the album is set to beautifully curated beats, textured guitars and powerful storytelling. The album led by Rettig’s distinctive vocals explores the darker corners of consciousness, via an atmospheric and tantalising soundscape of synths, loops, guitars, bass and programmed beats.
“Under Big Sky” sets the scene, epic and bold, the vocals controlled and seductive, echoing the sounds of Cat Power or Anna Calvi. Headlong the first single from the album was hailed by Joyzine as ‘full throttle catharsis,’ dark electronica meets searing guitars in this whirlwind high-jinx thrill ride, portrays the femme fatale in Rettig’s style, “Bang Bang” previously released in 2023 picking-up over 40K views on You Tube, enigmatic pop-noir, programmed beats blast out restrained and minimalist, Rettig’s own version of poetic defiance sets the scene, ‘I always come back stronger / I always come back knowing more.’ “Changes” is a fight for truth, a sense of agency, directing her fears into a celebration of the unknown.
“Broken Bones” opens with sparse and scattered beats, interspersed with metronomic and textured guitars, likening the architecture of broken bones to disappointment and heartbreak, calling for a sense of accountability.
“Outside” whispers into life, deep bass chords lead the way, the track plunges into a dub post-punk groove, think Peter Hook portraying Paul Simonon in ‘Guns of Brixton’, ‘It’s not a competition when you see that we’re all on the outside.’
“Take Your Time” hits this new wave high energy boost echoing Electric Six, ‘Stop, Reset / Take Your Time,’ finds its way in renewal, taking a step back in time.
Influences include PJ Harvey, Jesus and The Mary Chain, Nine Inch Nails, Massive Attack, Gary Numan, Kate Bush to the storytelling of Fiona Apple. Rettig has performed with collaborators from Debbie Smith (Curve), to Ben Pritchard (The Fall), and released a string of singles from The Desert, Control, Bang Bang, Broken Things and debut album The Scars They Leave. As well as gaining interest with influencers at various online magazines, Amazing Radio, and Huw Stephens Radio 1 show with The Desert, Rettig has been performing live with the likes of Desperate Journalist and Miki Berenyi (Lush)
Beth Rettig – vox, guitars, synths, bass / Mark Wallbridge – guitars on “Headlong” / Jo-Gate Eastley – bass on “Brutal Truth” and “Bloodshed” / Debbie Smith – lead guitars on “Outside” / Axel Ray Steuerwald – lead guitars on “Exhale”
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