Elmo Strauss began writing, recording and producing music in the format he describes as a ‘One Man Band’ since 2021, with the release of debut album Light and Dark. In My Sleep is his latest collection and is a logical follow on from the first album, in terms of the sound and the process.

Strauss feels that this album fits "loosely in the genre of rock", but this is kind of an undersell, really. This album lands squarely in the world of Rock - with a capital 'R'. Musical reference points abound from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and its Strauss’ command of these elements of style that makes In My Sleep a whole lot more than a ‘run through the toyshop’ stylistically speaking.

It's worth dwelling on the influences topic because there is a pervasive sense of reverence and joy that is a common thread through all of these songs. Taken as a whole, this album has the dynamics and the ebb and flow of a live set and by the time you get to Final song Electric Bride, a listener is totally ready for the classic set ‘closer’- and this song absolutely delivers on that. In My Sleep might be characterised best as energetic, enthusiastic, and compelling, sure, but Rock listeners of a certain generation will recognize the genuine sense of catharsis here. ’To be played at maximum volume’ indeed.

For a multi-instrumentalist, In My Sleep could be seen as quite a triumph, frankly. Strauss has a thorough understanding of how to make a track sit together and groove, and the rhythm section work throughout is a delight, notwithstanding the topline parts which are also dispatched with panache. The result sounds like assurance without swagger, which works because swagger would take this into ironic territory, and there is no room for irony here. An example is Cut Him Loose which at 7' 50" is the very definition of the ‘Album Track’. It is placed at the beginning of the final third of the album, just like you would in a live set where the band gets to stretch out, and it really does play that way. This would take some planning from a composition/recording/production perspective and in that respect the vision here is clear and, frankly, really quite clever It's all helped by Strauss being a skilled player on guitar, bass, drums and keyboards, and being possessed of a Rocky/ Bluesy holler of a voice with just the right amount of grit.

When listening to work done by multi-instrumentalists, one might be tempted to listen for the weak spots in the playing, but In My Sleep really doesn't have those. Examples abound- listen to Teacup for some excellent rhythm section work from the bass and drums, Cut Him Loose for the Dave Navarro / Jim Martin riffing on guitar and Beyond The Years for vocals with real soul, humanity and a bit of frailty, too.

While it's easy to get carried away with naming the influences, it's unfair to drop the 'fences of category' onto In My Sleep. You'd be missing the point because these songs are better than that. Elmo Strauss is having a real ‘sum of the parts’ moment with this album. It's delivered with panache, reverence and energy and it uses musical elements that are loved and understood musically. The moments where it all comes together like Teacup, Cut Him Loose and Electric Bride clearly show a blend of ingredients that are well understood, well percolated and indicative of even more interesting things to come.

• 1
  Head Like A Hole
• 2
  Horror Story
• 3
  Fraser Ross
• 4
  Fur Patrol
• 5
  Michelle Rounds
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  Devilskin
• 8
  Coridian
• 9
  The Boondocks
• 10
  Late to Chelsea

• 
  LOST BiRD @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024
• 
  Just Janie @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024
• 
  Dream Chambers @ Meow Nui, Wellington - 14/12/2024
• 
  The Phoenix Foundation @ Meow Nui, Wellington - 14/12/2024

• 1
  APT.
  ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
• 2
  DIE WITH A SMILE
  Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
• 3
  BIRDS OF A FEATHER
  Billie Eilish
• 4
  TASTE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 5
  I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
  Gracie Abrams
• 6
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 7
  SAILOR SONG
  Gigi Perez
• 8
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 9
  A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
  Shaboozey
• 10
  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan

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