An original style as intriguing and other-worldly as its artwork suggests – Shape 11 crafts a world-music instrumental both nostalgic and infectious, for Don’t Do This.
Impressively engaging for a new starter in production and sound-design, Don’t Do This features a timeless groove and a riff and effect-line just quirky enough to really blend the melodic and emotional tones with a clear sense of character and rising anticipation. We’re in a sort of early Fatboy Slim arena, a playful instrumental realm of sweeping synths and more clean-cut riffs alike, all separated by the opposing sections of this ongoing rhythm.
Coming in at almost five and a half minutes, Don’t Do This holds attention for its opening soundscape alone, but proceeds to incorporate multiple twists and turns that fit beautifully but also offer a mildly psychedelic shift to recapture any wandering minds.
It’s a simple sound in theory, but in practice the set-up is quite complex and multi-faceted. There’s a guitar-like finish to the second leading riff, and elsewhere we get these waves of expression and atmospheric breath that consistently immerse and enchant us as listeners.
Finely crafted, likable and original but rooted amidst the building blocks of great instrumental vibes – Don’t Do This is a fine early track from Shape 11, and hopefully marks the start of a creative journey well-worth tuning in for.
