There’s no clean entry point into the world of The Sha Sha Shanimals and that feels entirely the point. Formed in a blaze of turbulence, reverb and upside-down guitars, the four-piece arrives as something between a supergroup and a chaotic dream. Led by writer and artist Siân Pattenden, formerly of 100% Ponies, alongside guitarist Louis Jones, ex-Warm Jets, bassist Dan Farrow, ex-Oslo and Argentinian drumming powerhouse Camila de la Vega, The Sha Sha Shanimals deal in euphoric noise pop, made for the world’s current state of beautiful disrepair.
Their music is streaked with distortion and populated with moments that feel spontaneous, even accidental, but are too well-placed to be anything other than deliberate. They exist in a space that blends the visceral energy of punk with a skewed take on pop, the type that lets chaos shake, but only after setting the focus on something poetic.
The band are officially unveiling their sound via a double A-side 7” released through Daphne Guinness’ label Agent Anonyme, a partnership that was born, appropriately, in a wind tunnel in Lyon. The lead single, “Dumb Contortion,” opens the first window into their highly unique musical vision. It’s messy, raucous and completely self-assured in its sonic disarray.
The track barrels forward with lo fi bite, garage aesthetics and expressive vocal performance that raises the energy throughout. Set up by the lively punch of drums and twang of guitar, the track rolls with bouncy vocal leads to form an instantly catchy and thoroughly original jam that puts The Sha Sha Shanimals’ playful musical output and performance flair on full display.
The band’s ethos live both in the music as well as in the way they present it; the video for “Dumb Contortion,” directed by Malcolm Powder, is a blur of static, glitter and surrealist visuals. Like their sound, it’s dense, layered and gloriously unhinged, presenting an engaging visual experience that perfectly matches the music.
Tracks like “Best Dressed Chicken In Town,” their second A-side, is set to carry the same energy, loud but strangely elegant, funny but emotionally compelling. Dropping on September 2nd, it’s sure to win over fans around the world as The Sha Sha Shanimals continue to gain momentum on the first chapter of their thrilling musical story.
Watch the music video for Dumb Contortion below
More from Music
JK LAB releases “Bare Aura” featuring KXNE
Coming out of Villach in Austria, JK LAB is a producer whose musical vision has been influenced by a passion …
Frannie B drops new single “Echo”
Based in Oxford, Frannie B has been making an impact in the UK music scene with a pop-focused sound that …
Brand new single from Nick Norton-Smith
London-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Nick Norton-Smith has built a decorated career across an unusually diverse musical landscape, moving between film, …
