Sleigh Bells Release Breakbeat Sampling New Song “Rainmaker”

Sleigh Bells have continued their slow transformation into a full-fledged dance music act with another excellent single from their upcoming mini-album Kid Kruschev. Derek Miller’s guitars are present on the song, but they take minutes to appear and aren’t quite as “huge” as they had been on previous releases, instead cutting a subtle niche in the mix.

The song samples a well-regarded breakbeat originally performed by The Soul Searchers on their song “Ashley’s Roachclip” – a sample that some may recognize from Eric B. and Rakim’s hit song “Paid in Full.” The sample fits in well with lead singer Alexis Krauss’ powerful vocal delivery – which Miller describes in a press release as “sounding desperate.” The elements all combine nicely on “Rainmaker,” notching yet another (albeit very different) earworm on par with “Infinity Guitars” or “I Can Only Stare” for the songwriting duo of Miller and Krauss.

Kid Kruschev will be released on November 10, 2017 through the band’s own label, Torn Clean. The first single to be released from the album was “All Saints,” also showing a more pop-influenced side. This marks the second album in as many years for Sleigh Bells. The band released their fourth full length studio album Jessica Rabbit in November of 2016. mxdwn had the chance to sit down with Krauss for an interview before the release of Jessica Rabbit and discuss the new record.

In other news relating to Sleigh Bells, the band recently reached settlement in their copyright lawsuit with Demi Lovato. The band alleged that Lovato sampled their song “Infinity Guitars” in her song “Stars” without permission.

The band also has some tour dates in 2018 coming up. Opening the dates will be Sunflower Bean.

Sleigh Bells 2018 Tour Dates

01/23 – Brooklyn, NY Rough Trade SOLD OUT
01/24 – Boston, MA Paradise
01/26 – Portland, ME Aura
01/27 – Montreal, QC L’Astral
01/28 – Toronto, ON Mod Club
01/30 – Detroit, MI El Club
01/31 – Chicago, IL Metro *
02/01 – Nashville, TN The Basement East *
02/03 – Austin, TX Mohawk *
02/05 – San Antonio, TX Paper Tiger *
02/06 – Dallas, TX Granada *
02/07 – Houston, TX White Oak Music Hall *
02/09 – New Orleans, LA Republic *
02/10 – Athens, GA 40 Watt *
02/11 – Raleigh, NC Lincoln Theatre *
02/13 – Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Steel *
02/14 – Washington, DC 9:30 Club *

Photo Credit: Owen Ela

Matt Matasci: Music Editor at mxdwn.com - matt@mxdwn.com | I have written and edited for mxdwn since 2015, the same year I began my music journalism career. Previously (and currently) a freelance copywriter, I graduated with a degree in Communications from California Lutheran University in 2008. Born on the Central Coast of California, I am currently a few hundred miles south along the 101 in the Los Angeles area. matt@mxdwn.com
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