Sleepwall was definitely one of the more unique local acts in recent memory, so it sucks they only stuck around for a demo and a few EP followups. One of their final bows is this 2-song single, Is That Factual?, which takes their base sound of '80s punk-influenced early/mid-'90s-style alternative pop and adds greater melodic, sunny flourishes to really give themselves their own voice.

The A-side, "Tennessee Sun" is another upbeat, driving mark of Lemonheads and Sugar-esque introspection. But the back-ended "Change Your Ways" has a more experimental atmosphere about it, playing around with vocal effects to give it a more heartaching distance of sorts. It's a got a sweet but snappy, lilting buildup that, given a few more years to let the band coalesce and develop its songwriting, probably could have been a fantastic anthem. As is, though, it's still outright solid.

Supposedly, Sleepwall finished a 7-song LP some time ago. If that's still factual, hopefully it eventually sees the light of day.

Tennesse Sun