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Sleeper


"Smart" is the debut studio album by the English rock band Sleeper, released on 13 February 1995 by Indolent Records. Produced and mixed by Stephen Street, known for his work with bands like The Smiths and Blur, "Smart" helped establish Sleeper as part of the burgeoning Britpop movement of the mid-1990s. The album cover features a photograph of the Mercury Seven astronauts, adding a retro-futuristic aesthetic to Sleeper's modern indie rock sound. "Smart" includes some of the band's early singles like "Delicious," "Swallow," and "Inbetweener," which gained them initial attention and airplay on British radio. In 2020, to commemorate the album's 25th anniversary, a deluxe edition of "Smart" was released on both vinyl and CD formats. The CD version includes 10 additional tracks, likely comprising B-sides, demos, or other unreleased material from the era. "Smart" remains a significant album in Sleeper's discography, encapsulating the energy and style of Britpop while showcasing Louise Wener's distinctive vocals and the band's knack for blending catchy melodies with edgy guitar-driven rock.