Filoxiny
Lewis, 2018
8/10
The recording moniker of ex-Palace bassist William Dorey, as Skinshape the artist has been flirting with all sorts of sounds from the ‘60s, where is inimitable talent yields a very distinct and unclassifiable mashing of funk, soul, reggae, psyche-rock and even Afrobeat on this 4th album.
“After Midnight” gets the album off to a stylish and varied start with funk, soul and psychedelic influences in the soothing landscape, and “I Didn’t Know” keeps the creativity strong with more emphasis on percussion as soft and agile vocals enter the horn friendly and highly melodic delivery.
Deeper into the album we’re treated to the dreamy “Shimmer”, where an orchestral slant enters the unpredictable climate, while “Life As One” recruits strategic beats into the trip-hop influenced setting that’s elegant yet playful.
At the end, “We Lose” tips its hat to prog influences as light keys accent the experimental ideas, and the title track finishes out the listen with calculated restraint that brings plucked strings amid some hints at post-rock shimmering.
A record where each track brings new surprises, Skinshape is certainly hard to define, and that only adds to the appeal of this artistic and often cinematic effort that illustrates just why Dorey is leaving an indelible impression wherever his music is heard.
Travels well with: Thom Yorke- Anima; Wax Tailor- By Any Beats Necessary