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Reviewed by Shelley Shaw

My Baby: Shamanaid

Reviewed by Shelley Shaw

My Baby: Shamanaid

My Baby‘s sophomore album was released in early 2015 on Amsterdam label Embrace Recordings. The trio of Cato van Dyke, Joost van Dyke and Daniel da Freez (ex-Oamaru), seamlessly shift between multiple genres, the band playing electronic dub-esque dance beats one moment, then swerve effortlessly to sultry blues-infused guitar lines. Intricate fingerpicking and a warm low drone from open tuning sets a mood of meditative and mellow sound to a number of the tracks. Vocal melodies are sung with conviction and soul throughout. The album is a pleasant and dulcet listen. The Doors of Your Mind has an intensely hypnotising feel with the repeated vocal hook “open the door of your mind” throughout. Meet Me At The Wishing Well is a much more jovial tune, with a positive and uplifting melodic line, and a favourite from the album. The hummed vocal line skiffle feel from the brushed drums encourages one to dance and whistle along. Some moments seem almost tribal and raw from the constant percussive swelling provided by the drums, colourfully chromatic vocal lines and warmly glowing guitar layers. This album is an uplifting and eclectic package leaving your fingers clicking on the repeat button.

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