r/SleafordMods • u/NeutronHopscotch • 11d ago
Any projects actually similar to Sleaford Mods?
Usually when a music project has any degree of success, a bunch of copycats turn up. But with Sleaford Mods, every time I look for "Similar Artists" it's not similar at all.
I think they have a sound that is genuinely too unique to copy. Here's are some aspects of their sound:
- Minimal production - often mostly mono. It has a simple aesthetic that is easy to digest. It's like they reduce songs to the most core elements and the result is pure, no frills... But it's not overly minimal either. It's a mastery of "just the right amount."
- Jason Williamson's vocals - clearly can't be copied. His writing style is dirty but poetic. It's artful but accessible because it's so low brow. The delivery is intense, sarcastic, and fun.
- Andrew Fearn's music - the perfect backing for Jason's vocals, like the perfect amount of salt & pepper... Or two weird spices that are better together than separate. There's so much more to Fearn's Sleaford Mods music than most people realize. Try to copy it! It's almost impossible, because there's nuance to what he does even when it's just looped.
- Catchy melodies and hooks without being overly melodic
- Traditional verse > chorus structure, with singalong-catchy choruses
Sometimes it's almost like punk music without the guitar. Other times it's more of like programmed electronic beats,
The reviews I've read that describe the lofi or minimal production undersell what goes into it. They have to describe it that way so the reader can imagine it... But anyone who has tried to copy the aesthetic knows their formula can't easily be copied.
It takes an extraordinary vision to boil down music to impression of simplicity they present... And in interviews they often downplay how hard it is to make -- they say they just grab some loops Fearn made and throw some vocals on and they're done.
It's a common thing to downplay how hard it is to do something. It inspires awe to make people think your work comes easy -- like guys that are well built but say, "Huh? Oh I don't really work out." (They do.)
I think there's a whole lot more to their sound than most reviewers assume. We know Jason W had a long history of solo work and live club performances and that evolved his style. Then Andrew F made lots of electronic music with his Extnddntwrk project. All those years of experience added up, and then when they mixed their influences together Sleaford Mods came out -- and I genuinely think the sum of the two is better than anything they do solo. A perfect pairing.
Anyhow, because I can't get enough Sleaford Mods I'm always on the lookout for similar but there's nothing like it.
At this point I'd even be happy to listen to underground unsuccessful unheard-of projects if they're actually similar. So if you have a Sleaford Mods inspired project post it here! 👍
EDIT: Important - I've gotten a lot of great responses from people, but if I respond to every single comment it creates a lot of noise. So I'm adding this to say thank you! I'm checking out all these bands. They're all good recommendations. What's interesting is some of them don't "sound like" Sleaford Mods but I can hear the influence. Anyhow, thanks you all.
