South London’s Shrimp Eyes have already had some eye-catching successes. Radio plays on 6music and Radio 1, and features on several editorial playlists including Spotify’s Hot New Bands and Deezer’s Freshest Bands Around.
A fiercely proud DIY band, their music is self-recorded at Brixton Hill studios. Even the artwork for their singles is small snapshots taken from their guitarist’s paintings.
‘Wondering’ is the band’s brand new 4-track EP.
‘Good Things’ – The EP has a strong, abrupt start – it hits the ground running with a bubbly, energetic sound. An effervescent track with some shimmering synth sounds and a warm, textured bass line. There’s a really catchy chorus and a surprisingly heavy, funk-filled final section to boot.
They all told me the good things come in threes,
I’ll let it be, but I’m none the wiser
‘Tilted’ – A spacious sound with plenty of reverb and some perfectly judged guitar tones that feel rich and earthy. An ethereal organ adds a cavernous sound at first, and there are more tightly infectious hooks. I like the way every element of Shrimp Eyes’ songs has its own tactile personality. Nothing gets swallowed up or smothered – everything breathes.
‘Rumour’ – The opening chime was recorded on a Chad Valley toy keyboard with dying batteries. A great example of the band’s playful creativity and willingness to experiment, and – by the way – it sounds great! The band say this was “a chance metaphor for the times when introspective loneliness causes you to spiral inward, until even your own thoughts start to turn against you”. A second vocal adds a new texture here, and the two vocals gel nicely, with their London accents shining through. Some wild guitar distortion adds grit. Another impeccable groove and another irresistible melody mean they’re batting 1000 so far.
Come and tell me all the things
that you’ve heard and where you think I’ve been
From the start is where it all begins,
and we’re never going back,
Never going back
‘Birds’ – An off-kilter rhythm and a liquid, bubbling bassline give this final track a unique swing. The pretty melody floats up high with the birds, and an inventive bridge with a spikey guitar solo keeps things wonderfully unpredictable right until the end.
I can’t remember the last time I could hear & feel each band member’s personality so clearly in a record. So, take a bow, Joe Goody, Leila Al-Mitwally, Guy Middleham and Didzis Jurgelans!
‘Wondering’ is a perfectly crafted, whimsical EP that is full of surprising sonic details and little sparks of magic.
In case you were wondering – it’s out now!
Written by Grubby
