Swedish indie pop outfit Red Sleeping Beauty found a devoted audience in the early and mid-'90s, recording a series of highly regarded singles, EPs, and two full-lengths for various international boutique pop labels like Marshmarigold, Siesta, Grimsey, and Motorway. After disbanding at the end of the decade, they made a surprise return in the mid-2010s, releasing the 2016 reunion album Kristina and following it up in 2019 with the sleeker, more synth-driven Stockholm. Red Sleeping Beauty was formed in Stockholm in 1989 by singer Kristina Borg, singer/guitarist Niklas Angergård, guitarist Mikael Matsson of the Shermans, and bassist Carl Johan Näsström. The group debuted in early 1993 with the Marshmarigold EP Pop Sounds, followed a year later by efforts for the American label Somersault ("Seasons Change") and the Japanese imprint Motorway (the Top of the Pops EP). Red Sleeping Beauty continued their international label-hopping in 1995, issuing the Smile EP on the American imprint Sunday and turning to Spain's Siesta for the three-song Wealth of Information. After returning to Germany's Marshmarigold, the group issued its first full-length effort, Bedroom, later that same year. In the wake of the 1997 Siesta LP Soundtrack, Red Sleeping Beauty disbanded, though in 2000, Siesta released the compilation Singles. Angergård focused his energy on his other band, the Acid House Kings, while Matsson played in the band the Charade. In 2014, the band (minus Näsström) got back together to record a cover of the Alpaca Sports song "Just for Fun" and "Merry Christmas, Marie" for the holidays. The reunion continued with the "Always" single for Shelflife in 2015 and a well-received performance at the 2016 Madrid Popfest. That same year, the trio released their first album in 19 years. Released by Shelflife, Kristina delivered all the gentle pop warmth of the band's previous work with an updated, modern sound. Officially back in action, Red Sleeping Beauty signed with the Matinée label and cemented their return with 2019's synth-driven Stockholm LP. ~ Jason Ankeny