Shinedoe – The Observer

“The observer means for me to be connected with your soul. By not getting lost in the external world. Don’t forget you are a human being who is light, creative, and has lots of love to give.Each person has his or her way to get to the source inside. For me, this is music, the almighty Universal, God or whatever you want to call it.

It shows me the way. The road can be bumpy, but I believe there is always light.”

The title track sets out the atmosphere – a drifting, piece of ambient electronica which suggests we are embarking on a serious deep space voyage. Shinedoe explains it as “vibrations moving around – as an observer you watch without thoughts and feelings without judgement. Feelings and thoughts may occur, but you are not it.”

Next up is Before The Silence, our first contact with the groove that propels the release. It’s relentless pulse is offset by edgy, untethered arpeggiated synths and raw textures that hark back to the early Detroit sound, with an entirely contemporary twist.

Distraction starts with a looped up percussion groove that references a more afro-tech approach, and maintains its fierce impact throughout through hypnotic loops and a simple one note melody. For its creator, it represents the ‘world wanting something from you, which makes you remove yourself from your own core. All distractions.”

Redraw All Senses is similarly affecting – featuring a beautiful robotic vocal element intertwined with mutating pads and a deep, driving groove. Shinedoe poses the question “How would the world be if we redrew all our senses? When we watch without judgement, taste without judgement, smell without judgement, hearing or see without judgement -How will this be? On the dance floor I can get in a state of redrawing all sense, and it feels beautiful. For me it’s another dimension. With music I can get to this state as well, this is freedom”.

Next up is Agape – its title means unconditional love, and is inspired by Martin Luther King and Michael Beckwith. The track returns to the ambient textures of the opening track, before making way for Control – a slice of stripped back techno power that feels as though we are hurtling through space at light speed. Shinedoe shares this insight on the track: “it’s about human beings wanting to control life. Can we really control everything? Can we take control over our lives? What about the power of the Universe?”

It’s a perfect example of Shinedoe’s talents – combining a deep knowledge and respect of techno’s past with something perfectly futuristic, and equally profound.