Barefoot Young once again burst into the Boston music scene with the release of their latest album, “Sleep Score”. This high-octane collection of relentless pop anthems blends elements of nu-metal, hyperpop, new wave, and contemporary indie, guiding listeners through dreams of coming into your own in your 20s.

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The duo of Ian Howard (producer, guitarist) and Derek Bolivar (bassist, vocalist) have crafted their musical identity over a 15-year collaboration that began as a metal band and evolved through various phases, including a stint as a Red Hot Chili Peppers cover band. Their latest project, “Sleep Score,” is the first self produced LP from the band, centered around the quest for a perfect sleep score each night.

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The new album dives deep into the complexities of life in your mid-to-late 20s, exploring themes of emotional health, the shared struggles of adulthood, and the burden of loss. The record is a poignant reflection of friendship and growing pains that beautifully contrasts exhilarating nights with the everyday anxieties that disrupt sleep in this tumultuous phase of life.

 

The album’s opener, H.D.Y.S.L.N (How Did You Sleep Last Night?), starts as a coastal synth-pop track that abruptly wakes the listener up into a tripped-out explosion of hyperpop. The jarring change is a strong representation of how the rest of the tracks play with expectations, blending genres in a way that mimics the sleepless anxiety of young adulthood. 

 

Elsewhere on the record, pressure builds on “New Suit,” which evokes the weight of life in puritan, patriarchal New England. Over relentless percussion and country licks, Derek sings about wearing out suits and new shoes while simultaneously feeling like he’s drowning in the world he’s expected to thrive in.

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“The songs evoke a youthfulness we are all chasing and losing,” says Derek. “It’s weird getting older and not being sure how to balance time as it’s escaping while still having fun in the moment. We really enjoyed self producing this album and trying to keep that spirit alive while producing it all in Ian’s garage.”