New Music: Shinlifter – Close Encounters

Close Encounters is the opening track on the upcoming Other Conspiracies EP from Edinburgh-based rock agitators, Shinlifter.

The first time I heard the song, I wasn’t sure what to make of it, as just about every element was outside my comfort zone – but it’s good to be challenged, learn something new about myself, and expand my music tastes.

It got there via Olivia Furey’s stream-of-consciousness delivery of the lyrics – inspired by Shinlifter drummer Calum Barnes’ Substack essay about UFOs – awash with anger.

If you’re frustrated by the idiocy of the conspiracy and slop cultures that are becoming mainstream thought in the UK and beyond, Close Encounters will resonate with you.

The lyrics are fierce, but the music is steps beyond that again: math rock travelling at the speed of sound, tight in its own way but noisy and raw, and so complex that its gravity could collapse in on itself.

If Blur were to write Parklife now, in the age of decay and discomfort, maybe it would want to be as caustic and vital as Close Encounters. But I doubt it would sound as good as this. If you like Sprints, The Murder Capital, and Rolo Tomassi, this release is for you.

Shinlifter holds a launch party for Other Conspiracies on the 25th of October in Edinburgh for the EP, which is now up for pre-order in cassette and digital formats on Bandcamp. For all the latest news from the quartet, check out their Instagram.