Oklahoma dream-pop duo Sports have finally delivered their long awaited self titled album, Sports, and locked in their debut Australian headline tour for July.
The 12 track record arrives via ONErpm, marking a new chapter for the band as they bring their glossy, off centre pop to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. This isn’t just another album drop, Sports is the first project the duo have fully written, recorded and produced themselves, built inside a studio they constructed from the ground up in Tulsa. With no outside producers or safety ne, just their instincts and a clear vision of what Sports should sound like in 2026.
A Sharper, Stranger Pop Record
Across the album, Sports lean into a brighter, more deliberate pop palette. Focus track ‘Jelly’ sits at the centre of that shift.
Christian explains (per press release): “This is one of my favorites on the record because it feels very different from anything we’ve done before. We were really into pop at the time – A.G. Cook, which led me to Charli – and we wanted every sound to feel bold, with a vocal that really hits. Even though it sounds like there’s a lot going on, it’s actually pretty sparse.”
That tension between maximalist energy and stripped back structure runs through the entire LP. Pre-released singles ‘Nice 2 Meet Myself (Bang Bang Bang)’, ‘If You Want Me’, ‘Keep Falling In Love’ and ‘Drama King’ sit alongside fresh cuts, weaving shimmering synths with warped pop instincts and a hint of psychedelic R&B.
There are nods to experimental pop architects and stadium sized ambition in the mix, but the record never feels like imitation, it sounds self contained, deliberate and personal.
Streaming Momentum Builds
‘Drama King’ recently landed on the cover of Spotify’s New Music Friday US, while BBC 6 Music and Radio X have also thrown support behind the duo, the international buzz is building, and Australia is next on the map.
For local fans who’ve watched from afar, July marks the first real chance to see how these tracks translate live.
LP TRACKLIST
- Gravestone
- Nice 2 Meet Myself (Bang Bang Bang)
- If You Want Me
- Magic Trick
- Jelly
- My Superstar
- Keep Falling In Love
- Don’t Forget About Me
- Drama King
- Stay Mad
- I Can’t Cry
- Metaphors
Listen here.
TOUR DATES
Thursday, July 9th – The Night Cat – Naarm/Melbourne
Friday, July 10th – Oxford Art Factory – Gadigal/Sydney
Saturday, July 11th – The Brightside – Meanjin/Brisbane
Live Nation pre sale: Tomorrow, February 24th, 10am local
General on sale: Wednesday, February 25th, 11am local
Details here.
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