-=- SHGZ -=-
* Shoegaze * Indie * Post-rock * Grunge * Dream Pop * Ambient * Ethereal *
Artist..: Shield Patterns
Album...: Contour Lines
GENRE....: Indie
STYLE....: Electronic, Experimental, Trip Hop, Leftfield, Indie Pop
LABEL....: Gizeh SCENE.....: 2015-06-14
BITRATE..: 230 kbps avg STORE.....: 2014-06-00
ENCODER..: LAME 3.98.4 -V0 TRACKS....: 10
SIZE.....: 67.45MB SOURCE....: CD
URL..:
- TRACKLIST
1 Shade 3:43
2 Carve the Dirt 4:06
3 Ghost Words 3:53
4 Dust Hung Heavy 4:02
5 The Rule 4:33
6 Dead Air 4:12
7 Present State 3:04
8 Ruby Red 4:48
9 WeYouMe 2:23
10 Charon 5:59
Total Playtime: 40:43
Every now and again, there comes a moment where an artist is so
awe-inspiringly great that you just have to stop what you are doing dead in
your tracks and pay close attention. Shield Patterns are exactly that, and
they have just landed probably one of the most original and unbelievable
albums of 2014.
We were first made aware of Shield Patterns a couple of months ago, whilst
having a little chat with Johannes from Cult Of Luna, saying that Shield
Patterns would be one of the artists playing the Beyond The Redshift Festival
in London (which took place a couple of weeks ago). We were there to witness
said performance, and it was quite easily in equal parts mesmerising and
jaw-dropping.
So understandably, we had to review what is to be their debut album æContour
LinesÆ, which is released on the 9th June.
Also if you do not know much about them, let us bring you up to speed. Shield
Patterns are a Manchester-based ambient experimental electronic duo made up
of multi-instrumentalists Claire Brentall, and Richard Knox. Only having been
around since December of 2012, and releasing a couple of singles, it is
staggering to realise just how talented they truly are.
To say the least, Shield Patterns are a revelation, and a very rare gem that
has still yet to be found. But to those in the know but have not had the
chance to hear æContour LinesÆ yet, prepare yourself!
Musically speaking, Shield Patternsæ sound evokes all the best bits that make
artists like Portishead, Boards Of Canada, Massive Attack, Fever Ray, and FKA
Twigs all so special. But Shield Patterns hone their sound in a very
carefully constructed and concise way that demonstrates another level of
creativity and production rarely seen these days.
Firstly, let us talk about the production. Richard KnoxÆs production is near
perfect. Finely executed, enough room to let all electronic and natural
sounds breathe and flow in their own tangents, and the mixing on this album
is just sublime. So to say the very least, there is absolutely nothing wrong
with the overall production qualities of æContour LinesÆ.
Secondly, a special mention must go out to Claire Brentall, who has one of
the most beautiful, divine, and truly haunting voices that this writer has
heard in a long time. Clearly on a wavelength that could truly rival the
likes of Beth Gibbons, Hope Sandoval, and FKA Twigs. In songs like æDust Hung
HeavyÆ and æRuby RedÆ, she truly demonstrates just how much of a talented
singer she really is, but displaying a healthy vocal range and diversity that
is very hard to come by in female singers these days.
Throughout æContour LinesÆ, we are treated to ten songs of sheer
unadulterated, haunting genius.
Album opener æShadeÆ, is a menacing and brooding introduction to the band,
with an ever growing sense of foreboding, which does provoke an almost
paranoid and haunting visualisation that something is about to make itself
known.
There are various displays of musical diversity demonstrated all over the
album. Whether that be the mystical oriental-tinged musings of æCarve the
DirtÆ, the minimal yet sexy and sensual æDust Hung HeavyÆ, the raw and
industrial leanings of songs like æThe RuleÆ and æPresent StateÆ, and even
the deranged classical twists of album closer æCharonÆ.
There is so much that can be said about this album, on many levels. It seems
like Shield Patterns have implemented all influences from trip-hop, ambient,
classical, industrial, minimalism, and even possibly acid jazz. But what is
even more astounding is how they have mastered their craft so quickly, and
not made it sound like a cacophonous maelstrom of everything they so love.
They have made a sound that is well and truly unique, and without sounding
pretentious in the process.
Although whilst it is hard to pinpoint any criticisms at all within this
album, the only criticism that could possibly be found with the album is that
if the listener is not open-minded enough to appreciate the level of
diversity and is not ready to absorb themselves in the temporary world of
æContour LinesÆ, they may find themselves a little alienated, or not
particularly æget itÆ. But that is all but irrelevant, because to appreciate
this album to its maximum, you would have to be a genuine fan of music, and
open-minded enough to make it a truly rewarding experience.
æContour LinesÆ is a work of unhinged beauty, which borders on the edge of
celestial serenity, and on the polar opposite it leans towards the edge of
the darkest unknown. Sexy, intricate, menacing, haunting, and quite frankly
hypnotic û Shield Patterns have arguably released what could be the best
electronic album of the year. Even more so, this is possibly one of the best
debut albums that has been committed to record in a long, long time. A
mini-masterpiece.
-=- SHGZ -=-
P.S.
** Thanks ***
*** BCC FNT IPC SSR ***
*** For Knowing Where The Music Is At ***
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* NuHS we miss you! *
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