An Ambitious Double Vinyl Release Blending Classical and Contemporary Sounds
Mark Springer, best known for his work with avant-garde post-punk group Rip Rig and Panic, has announced his latest musical venture—an expansive double vinyl and CD release titled Sleep of Reason. The album, set to be released on April 25th, 2025, is a bold collaboration with Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys and takes inspiration from the haunting etchings of Spanish artist Francisco Goya.
A Musical Reflection of Modern ‘Monsters’
Sleep of Reason consists of three major compositions, each evoking the unsettling themes of Goya’s work while drawing parallels to contemporary issues. The album features:
- A solo piano opus performed by Springer
- A string quartet performed by the Sacconi String Quartet
- A quintet for voice and strings, featuring Neil Tennant’s poetic and evocative vocals
Springer describes the album as an exploration of today’s societal ‘monsters’—the divisive power of social media, inflated egos, and cultural fragmentation—paralleling the eerie creatures depicted in Goya’s “Los Caprichos” series.
First Single ‘Phantoms and Monsters’ Arrives March 14th
Ahead of the full release, the album’s opening track, “Phantoms and Monsters”, will be available on all digital platforms starting March 14th, 2024. The song sets the tone for the album’s dark, atmospheric journey, blending classical instrumentation with Tennant’s signature lyrical style.
A Unique Fusion of Genres
Known for his groundbreaking work in both contemporary and classical compositions, Mark Springer has composed music spanning chamber pieces, opera, and film scores. His collaboration with Neil Tennant, one of pop music’s most distinctive vocalists, brings a fusion of avant-garde, classical, and alternative pop into a single, cohesive vision.
Released under Sub Rosa in collaboration with The Exit Label, Sleep of Reason will be available on double vinyl, CD, and digital formats on April 25, 2025. Pre-orders are available now on Bandcamp.
