Sneaker Pimps Are Squaring The Circle At Last

The new album from Sneaker Pimps is finally here! Hope you enjoy it as much as our team has.

“[Fighter (AMP Remix)]  is packed with a dizzying array of subtle sonic references and hints including krautrock grooves, shimmering synth arpeggios, chiming Japanese-like percussion and more while retaining Jones’ sultry vocal turn and the song’s rousingly anthemic hook.” – William Helms, Joy Of Violent Movement

“‘Alibis’ is fragile funk, a sultry downtempo bubblebath that has heavy thoughts on its mind.” – Bill Pearis, BrooklynVegan

Studio photos courtesy of Chris Corner, Liam Howe, & Simonne Jones

SNEAKER PIMPS have at last released their long-awaited album, SQUARING THE CIRCLE. The 16 track DLP was formally announced this May, several years after co-founders CHRIS CORNER and LIAM HOWE confirmed suspicions that they were working on an album with longtime writing partner IAN PICKERING. The expansive project is the first major release from Sneaker Pimps since 2002’s ‘Bloodsport’, and has been written in various intervals since then. It includes a multitude of influences from the lives and careers of Corner and Howe – Corner has spent the hiatus primarily focused on his successful solo venture IAMX, while Howe has made a name for himself as a notable producer for the likes of LANA DEL REY, FKA TWIGS, ADELE, and more. As such, it’s an album free from the confines of a single moment in time or a single genre, but that maintains a contemporary edge throughout.

“Sneakers never died, but it was painfully dormant. For so long we’ve both been on our separate journeys, musically, emotionally. It took both of us to have our personal breakdowns and mental crises to step up and write together again, and it feels great. The humor is back, the bite is back, the egos are dead. We love our music again. This long, dense and intimate album is the first step of our rebirth. There’s so much more to come.” – Chris Corner, Sneaker Pimps

LISTEN TO SQUARING THE CIRCLE HERE

Artwork courtesy of Sneaker Pimps

“I exited the band scene after Bloodsport and concentrated on producing and writing for different artists. I’ve loved doing so, but I’ve been hiding behind a mixing desk for too long. It has been wonderful to come full circle and finally finish this album. Usually an LP represents a couple of years of a band’s life, but this one pulls together works from nearly 2 decades. With that in mind it’s amazing how coherent the album sounds. And that’s because the songs are all classic Sneaker Pimps.” – Liam Howe, Sneaker Pimps

Throughout the album Corner utilizes his metamorphic, androgymous voice to full effect, from the emotional doom-funk sounds of Alibis, to the brutal resonance of Stripes and the emotional ballad Squaring The Circle, which sees him sharing the vocal lead with the project’s featured artist, SIMONNE JONES. Jones, whose powerful voice is heard throughout the album, is known for her solo music career which often fuses her background in the sciences with stunning lyrics, as well as her work with JEAN-MICHEL ANDRÉ JARRE and PEACHES. The vocals are bolstered by Howe and Corner’s musical composition. The atmospheric sound design, sophisticated chord progressions, and acrobatic melodies provided by the duo back the clever sampling that Sneaker Pimps are known for while solidifying their place as industry vets. Grammy-winning producer, JIM ABBISS (BJÖRK, ARCTIC MONKEYS, KASABIAN, ADELE, and more), also makes an appearance on several tracks. Abbiss has worked with Corner and Howe since Sneaker Pimps’ debut album ‘Becoming X’, and continues to contribute to their work often.

Due to the ongoing global struggle with the COVID-19 virus Sneaker Pimps are currently unable to be together for live performances, but hosted a pre-listening party ahead of today’s release. They hope to be able to announce live events soon and urge everyone who is able to be vaccinated to do so.

Photo courtesy of Sneaker Pimps

Bio

Formed in Hartlepool, UK, Sneaker Pimps immediately emerged as a musical force and pioneer of the trip-hop genre with their debut album, Becoming X (1996). Known for clever sampling, bittersweet melodies and a moody sound which intricately combined organic & electronic production and morphed between female and male vocal performances, they landed in the UK Top 40 five times during their initial seven year run with tracks such as Six Underground, Spin SpIn Sugar, Low Five, and Bloodsport.

After a mutual decision to explore other avenues, both founding members Chris Corner (IAMX) and Liam Howe (AMP) went on to create their own highly successful musical and visual projects collaborating with artists as diverse as Gary Numan and Lana del Rey.

Now based in LA and London respectively, Sneaker Pimps have reunited and, alongside featured vocalist Simonne Jones and past collaborators Ian Pickering and Jim Abbiss, have released the long-awaited album, “Squaring The Circle”.

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