JUST a few days short of the one-year anniversary of her last EP ‘When You’re Around’, the hugely talented SHEARS has returned with its follow-up EP ‘Mind in Decline’.
The Edinburgh artist has taken the shining elements of that previous EP and refined them further, taking her sound to new invigorating heights – all with the help of frequent collaborator and producer Dunt.
Against the backdrop of the pandemic, she channels the madness of the last 18 months through glimmering soundscapes and punchy melodies – adding enticing new dynamics to her sound with pulsing rhythm sections and intricate layers of synths. Led by her immense vocal performance, it’s a hypnotic concoction that adds a dark, cool edge to her songwriting. Highlights include the seething ‘The Fault’, bouncy, pulsating ‘Afterthought’ and upbeat pop banger ‘Face’.
“Mind In Decline is an EP about paranoia, reassurance, frustration, anticipation and honesty,” says SHEARS. “Making this has been a really weird and wonderful process, and I’ve learned a lot about myself and my music and where I fit in the world (or don’t).”
She adds: “I was a bit apprehensive about releasing solo production work for the first time, but it’s led to a new way of writing music; writing with Dunt for this EP for a few tracks was a pleasure as always and I thank him for his patience and encouragement. Thank you for listening! Loads more coming soon..’
Interestingly, ‘Mind in Decline’ is a self-assured collection from an artist who has found her lane and going from strength to strength.
