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Self-awareness is important. The ability to talk to yourself, to assess your actions and improve is vital. Scottish upstarts Newshapes know this. In fact, their new EP is called ‘A Conversation With Myself’ making it explicit; they know what they have made, they know what works, they are ready to tell you who they are now.
Basically, the EP is four singles, grouped together. Each has its own distinct feel. Each is impressive in its own right. The music has a familiar sound, best described as post-hardcore and Newshapes have an excellent command of all the genre’s current tropes; delayed guitars, atmospheric verses, lush, softened vocals, catchy choruses and even shift gear into “heavy bits”. Combined with the pleasingly biting production sound, it’s impressive and satisfying.
Speaking of difficult conversations, vocalist Ian Mann describes the EP as “a rock record” – it’s a statement that requires discussion. It is not, in fact, a rock record, but you can see where he gets the idea. The band’s early recordings are underpinned by hardcore drumbeats and pure chugging guitars but this new EP pairs back those sounds in favour of a more streamlined, expansive sound. After only a few releases, they’re already mutating, moving into a different space and this is what sets them apart from their contemporaries – as Mann suggests, it sits closer to rock.
Most obviously, second track ‘The Rain’ is a heart-racing, emotional rollercoaster while, despite its clumsy lyric, ‘Wax’ is styled as an anthem. However, the most revealing song is ‘Sick Of Breathing’. It feels very different to the others and could be described as a post-hardcore-disco-dancefloor hybrid. While the guitars glisten and shimmer the stomping drums and chorus sees them moving into the space occupied by Boston Manor – an alt-rock band whose restless creativity, makes their work a constant joy; it’s a good space to be in.
One of the EP’s greatest strengths is that it manages to effortlessly switch between styles. So the overall tone might remind you of a band like Mallory Knox or Parting Gift but it’s surprising how heavy it can be. The rapid opening riff on ‘Wax’ or the central section of ‘The Rain’ where the drums thrash around crackle with a mischievous energy while the breakdown on ‘Deadweight’ goes way harder that you might expect it to. It’s neither half-hearted nor unexpected and they’re comfortable with hitting hard just when the songs need it. In fact, what the band do exceptionally well is mix a soft sense of scale with massive punch, whether it’s the way the straightforward burst of hardcore or the way a chorus hits, every song here effortlessly grabs your attention.
No, it’s not a rock record but it’s difficult to define what it is. That’s it’s strength. ‘A Conversation With Myself’ is the sound of a band searching for a new way to express themselves and, in doing so, making something great.
IAN KENWORTHY
Basically, the EP is four singles, grouped together. Each has its own distinct feel. Each is impressive in its own right. The music has a familiar sound, best described as post-hardcore and Newshapes have an excellent command of all the genre’s current tropes; delayed guitars, atmospheric verses, lush, softened vocals, catchy choruses and even shift gear into “heavy bits”. Combined with the pleasingly biting production sound, it’s impressive and satisfying.
Speaking of difficult conversations, vocalist Ian Mann describes the EP as “a rock record” – it’s a statement that requires discussion. It is not, in fact, a rock record, but you can see where he gets the idea. The band’s early recordings are underpinned by hardcore drumbeats and pure chugging guitars but this new EP pairs back those sounds in favour of a more streamlined, expansive sound. After only a few releases, they’re already mutating, moving into a different space and this is what sets them apart from their contemporaries – as Mann suggests, it sits closer to rock.
Most obviously, second track ‘The Rain’ is a heart-racing, emotional rollercoaster while, despite its clumsy lyric, ‘Wax’ is styled as an anthem. However, the most revealing song is ‘Sick Of Breathing’. It feels very different to the others and could be described as a post-hardcore-disco-dancefloor hybrid. While the guitars glisten and shimmer the stomping drums and chorus sees them moving into the space occupied by Boston Manor – an alt-rock band whose restless creativity, makes their work a constant joy; it’s a good space to be in.
One of the EP’s greatest strengths is that it manages to effortlessly switch between styles. So the overall tone might remind you of a band like Mallory Knox or Parting Gift but it’s surprising how heavy it can be. The rapid opening riff on ‘Wax’ or the central section of ‘The Rain’ where the drums thrash around crackle with a mischievous energy while the breakdown on ‘Deadweight’ goes way harder that you might expect it to. It’s neither half-hearted nor unexpected and they’re comfortable with hitting hard just when the songs need it. In fact, what the band do exceptionally well is mix a soft sense of scale with massive punch, whether it’s the way the straightforward burst of hardcore or the way a chorus hits, every song here effortlessly grabs your attention.
No, it’s not a rock record but it’s difficult to define what it is. That’s it’s strength. ‘A Conversation With Myself’ is the sound of a band searching for a new way to express themselves and, in doing so, making something great.
IAN KENWORTHY