Sleigh Bells

Sleigh Bells is a US noise pop duo from Brooklyn, New York, active from 2008 to the present. The group consists of Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller, and its sound is described as noise pop and electronic, with heavy use of blown-out drum beats, fuzzed guitars and synth-pop elements.

Formation and members

The duo forms in 2008 in Brooklyn. Derek E. Miller is a songwriter, guitarist and producer, and Alexis Krauss is the vocalist and lyricist. Before Sleigh Bells, Miller plays guitar in the hardcore band Poison the Well, and Krauss is a member of the teen pop group RubyBlue.

The project begins when Miller is waiting tables at the Brazilian restaurant Miss Favela and meets Alexis Krauss and her mother. After he says he is looking for a female vocalist for a musical project, Krauss’s mother volunteers her for the role.

Early releases

After building attention during 2009, Sleigh Bells signs to M.I.A.’s label N.E.E.T. in 2010. The duo releases a seven-track self-titled EP, Sleigh Bells, and the single “Tell ’Em” as a free download. Most of the EP’s tracks are later re-recorded for the debut album.

The debut full-length album, Treats, follows in 2010. It includes the singles “Crown on the Ground”, “Infinity Guitars”, “Rill Rill” and “Riot Rhythm”.

Subsequent albums and releases

The second studio album, Reign of Terror, is released in 2012, preceded by the singles “Born to Lose” and “Comeback Kid”. In support of the album, the group makes its network television debut on Saturday Night Live, performing “Comeback Kid” and “End of the Line”.

A third album, Bitter Rivals, is released in 2013 through Mom + Pop Music. Krauss describes its direction as cleaner, with more writing from her, and mentions dynamic acoustic riffs and R&B-influenced vocals.

In 2016, Sleigh Bells premieres “Champions of Unrestricted Beauty” and releases the singles “Rule Number One” and “Hyper Dark” before issuing the fourth studio album, Jessica Rabbit. It is the first release on the duo’s own label, Torn Clean, in partnership with Sinderlyn.

The mini-album Kid Kruschev follows in 2017. The sixth studio album, Texis, is released in 2021 through Mom + Pop Music, with music videos made for “Locust Laced” and “Justine Go Genesis”.

Style and context

Sleigh Bells are associated with loud, layered production and a contrast between aggressive instrumentation and Krauss’s vocal delivery, which is described as both forceful and elegant. Their work sits within noise pop, while also drawing on electronic and experimental elements.