With trademark Goth atmospherics and anxiety-ridden jitters, ELLiS·D returns with a fearful and fretful single in "Shakedown." The fuzzed-up white noise and disassociated-sounding vocals pile on layers of bewildered overthinking, and paranoia to create the expected level of post-punk edge and jerked guitar riffing.
Written and recorded by Brighton, England's ELLiS·D, aka Ellis Dickson, at Hackney Road Studios with Shuta Shinoda (Hot Chip, Jenny Beth), "Shakedown" springs out the gate, agitated like rocket-fuel, "Act calm / act tough / No more than a slip on a feature / Shaking your stuff." It's a self-doubting ode to feeling imposter syndrome, being out of step, forgotten, or passed by. Wanting but fearing. Be careful what you wish for, etc. It's not only apt to the rock 'n' roll lifestyle and that of being an artist, it's also a very 21st-century brand of prickly hope. The spiky parts give way to contemplation at moments too though, giving the song more light and shade, and space to breathe. Dickson is adept at presenting a mood in simple and effective ways. Jabbed words and instruments go a long way to conveying the protagonist's mind on the edge but reigned in again and again.
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