Toploader have released their brand-new single 'Sleepyhead', marking their first new music in almost a decade. The uplifting piano-pop track combines 1970s-tinged instrumental warmth with tight vocal harmonies and the soulful vocals of frontman Joseph Washbourn.
Written by Washbourn and produced by long-time collaborator Danton Supple (Coldplay), the track was built around a vintage Yamaha CP80 piano riff—an instrument famous for its use on classic recordings by Peter Gabriel, Billy Joel, and Genesis.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind the track, Washbourn explained: "'Sleepyhead' explores our seemingly inherent human inability to wake up and smell the coffee. Even when the odds are so obviously stacked we’d rather bury our heads in the pillow, turn off the alarm clock and go back to bed!"
Toploader were one of the defining UK bands of the early 2000s, landing four BRIT Award nominations and selling over 3.6 million domestic copies of their global hit 'Dancing In The Moonlight'. Their triple-Platinum debut album Onka’s Big Moka reached Number 4 on the UK Albums Chart, producing further Top 20 singles including 'Achilles Heel', 'Just Hold On', and 'Only For A While'. Their follow-up album Magic Hotel peaked at Number 3, driven by the hit single 'Time of My Life'.
To date, the band—comprising original founding members Joseph Washbourn, guitarist Dan Hipgrave, and drummer Rob Green—has accumulated over 1.5 billion streams worldwide alongside almost 8 million monthly Spotify listeners. Over their career, they have shared stages with Coldplay, Muse, Robbie Williams, Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller, Bon Jovi, and Simple Minds, while recently supporting James Blunt on his UK arena tour.
The release of 'Sleepyhead' comes as Toploader continue their intimate autumn UK headline tour, which is currently underway. The run includes upcoming dates in Kendal, Buckley, Camberley, Bedford, London, Brighton, Glasgow, Sunderland, and Whitby.
