Sleigh Bells announces semi-fictional, semi-autobiographical record Bunky Becky Birthday Boy

Sleigh Bells share their new single "Bunky Pop" ahead of the album's April 4 release.

Sleigh Bells announces semi-fictional, semi-autobiographical record Bunky Becky Birthday Boy

A Sleigh Bells song is unmistakable: joyful, discordant, and attention-grabbing. Predecessors of the hyperpop movement, the duo (comprised of producer/guitarist Derek Miller and singer Alexis Krauss) have put their weird stamp on every release from 2010’s breakthrough Treats to 2021’s Texis. Now Sleigh Bells has announced their seventh album Bunky Becky Birthday Boy, debuting April 4, described as “a celebration of the pair’s unbelievable friendship” as well as “a brand-new (and every bit as explosive) chapter of Sleigh Bells.”

Explaining the unique title, Miller said in a press release, “‘Bunky Becky’ was a nickname for Alexis’ dog Riz, who passed away in December 2023. When she passed away, Alexis and I had been talking about writing an anthem for her. And then Alexis’ son Wilder was born, and he’s the birthday boy. Even though the title sounds a little ridiculous—and it’s totally okay to laugh at it— with a little bit of context, it’s actually life and death. We lost somebody that we love, and we gained somebody that we love.”

Ahead of the album release, Sleigh Bells released the song “Wanna Start A Band?”, a fictionalized, musicalized version of when Miller asked Krauss about forming a band back in 2008. Today they follow it up with the album’s opening track “Bunky Pop.” “We wanted the track to sound like a dog having the best moment of her life without any of the burden of self consciousness,” Miller explained of the single. “‘Bunky Pop’ informed the entire record, and Bunky Becky kind of became a character woven into every song. We wanted to give her a friend, Roxette Ric, so we could play with a little bit of autobiography and fiction as well.”

Sleigh Bells previously announced a 2025 North American tour beginning in May; details can be found on the band’s website. You can check out the full tracklist for Bunky Becky Birthday Boy below.


BUNKY BECKY BIRTHDAY BOY TRACKLIST

  1. Bunky Pop
  2. Wanna Start A Band?
  3. Life Was Real
  4. Roxette Ric
  5. This Summer
  6. Can I Scream
  7. Badly
  8. Blasted Shadow
  9. Real Special Cool Thing
  10. Hi Someday
  11. Pulse Drips Quiet

 
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