Album Review/ New Wave : _Shoe’s ‘Patterns of Possession’

_SHOE is a modern alt electronic banner that staunchly implements concept pieces. And their latest release, ‘Patterns of Possessions’ is no different. It explores the theme with a dark and sinister edge, one that you can interpret as a critique towards capitalism or consumerism.

Perhaps go a little into the anthropological side to explore the greed underneath, the amassing, and the identity that gets cast on inanimate things. Which can then extend to the illusion thinking that we might perhaps possess people in relationships, and the thought spiral goes on. This collection compels thought and contemplation like never before. 

The album opens with the strong notions of the title track. It forms and folds over itself over and over again. There is something hypnotic in its repetitive flow, extending into a theatrical continuum. The drum n bass in the back are such great and effortless atmospheres to showcase the sound played in. We see drum n bass manifest in other tracks across the album as well; like ‘Shutdown Protocol’,‘Server of Lost Soles’, and ‘Following Threads’. 

However in tracks like ‘It Takes Control’, ‘The Confrontation’, and ‘Lace Entanglement’, the artist pierces through the theme with a sharper sonic point. The melodies are electric and luminous as they light up the immaculate rooms that he sets up for them. The concept is revealed in between these melodies, in the structures and patterns, the spaces and energy that it gets. It not only feels otherworldly and futuristic, but its dystopias are haunting. They are like cerebral experiments, exposures to which inspires the mind to push through the glass ceiling and go into the night. Stare at the darkness long enough to reveal it. 

‘The Investigation’ is such a cinematic track. It’s slow ooze, consistent across the song, sets the mood for the theme. Snaking through a cryptic space, the composition is exploring, thinking, simmering, and solving. And in the middle of the song, you realize that you’re in the thick of it. Even ‘Biological Redemption’ has a similar make. With its doomsday soundscape, it leads you into a tunnel of eco-anxiety, climate change, and related topics. Lastly, ‘The Mission’ ends the album with an energetic burst, a performance that you will not forget in a hurry. It is powerful and a great way to seal the collection. Listen Now! 

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The album is available for streaming on popular sites like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music!

You can listen to ‘Patterns of Possessions’ by _SHOE here -