We’ve been noticing a theme in new releases this year, that of a yearning for more organic sounds and human songwriting. No doubt, this is a reaction of the rise of AI, the degradation of artist spaces and a generalised disconnection between people. Joining in this fight for something real is AM Shanley, the Paris-based Irish singer-songwriter, composer, musician and producer who is committed to analogue craftsmanship, as you’ll discover in his newest single ‘SHY’.
In addition to his dedication to tried-and-true techniques, Shanley also introduces a sense of real-world tangibility into ‘SHY’ by recording it onto a 24-track tape. With production from Julie McLarnon at Analogue Catalogue in Northern Ireland and mastering by Joel Harkin at Aye Sound Mastering, you can appreciate how everything about this track was meticulously planned out. Of course, the proof is in the pudding as they say, so let’s dive into it.
As soon as ‘SHY’ starts, listeners are wrapped up in upbeat drums, driving guitars and Shanley‘s placid-yet-pensive voice, which he uses to deliver the narrative of a disillusioned twenty-something searching for meaning in a broken world. He ruminates on those questions that plague all of us at one point or another, “What does it mean? Who am I?”.
These immortal inquiries pair seamlessly with the song’s timeless atmosphere, created through the analogue production, as well the breezy blend of 90s slacker-rock, 00s indie, modern lo-fi textures and a dash of 70s punk. Featuring contributions from Ronnie McGreevy on bass, Zach Trouton on guitar and Damien McKeown on drums, there’s something undeniably mesmerising about ‘SHY’. What AM Shanley give listeners here is a reminder that the human touch really can’t be replaced.
You can also listen to ‘SHY’ in our Indie Rockers playlist.
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