As previously reported, Hempispheres marks the first Sleep album since 2018’s The Sciences and the beginning of a new chapter for the group following the departure of founding guitarist Matt Pike. Fully aware of the impossible task before him, Dupree says he had no interest in simply mimicking Pike. Instead, he focused on bringing his own voice to the band while ensuring “Sleep’s soul is still totally intact.” Beyond the album, Cisneros is expanding Sleep’s mythology with his first foray into comics. A limited-edition bundle includes a flexi-disc of “Have Spacesuit Will Travel,” a signed bookplate, poster and custom rolling papers.