The Philly-based indie rock trio Lizdelise shared the third single off their upcoming album I Swore I Heard You Laughing, which will be released September 15th via Sheer Luck Records. The emotional new single “Sleep Softly” was released on August 8th.
Composed of singer/songwriter Lizzy de Lise (vocals, guitar), audio engineer Mark Watter (bass), and Alyssa Resh (drums), the band has been mixing buzzy guitars, blocky percussion, synths, and memorable songwriting on their recent singles. “Tornado” from July was the new album’s proper leadoff single, as the track “WMN” had been released in January of 2022, a full year and a half before the album’s official announcement. However, it will still appear as part of the project’s seven-song tracklist.
“Sleep Softly” is a vulnerable look into de Lise’s mind, as they reminisce over a lost friend. “I sleep soundly except for when I’m thinking of you” they sing on the song’s haunting chorus. While de Lise obviously cannot phase out these memories completely, they do not bring them sadness; it’s like a ghost instead that hovers, bringing fear and unsettling thoughts. “Playing “sleep softly” live is such a release for me — that soft yet roiling synth line… takes me right back to when my friend was alive. While we play this song, I forget that he’s gone, and then I remember, and then I forget,” de Lise explained via Instagram post.
Musician and producer Andy Stack helped record the song at Betty’s in Chapel Hill, NC. According to de Lise, “Sleep Softly” was the final song written before the band headed south to work with Stack in the studio. The track also features a synth performance from Dashiell Flach, who has joined the band for live performances in the past.
Lizdelise will release their third album I Swore I Heard You Laughing on Sept. 15th; pre-order is available through their Bandcamp. “Sleep Softly” is out now, listen below.