The Scottish post-hardcore project officially launched onto the scene in 2022 and released their debut EP ‘i hope this finds you’ in the autumn of following year, featuring ‘foreverend’, ‘glass’, ‘because, i love you’ and my personal favourite; ‘wandering’ (you’ve got to hear to the sax in the bridge). They've gained regular airplay on BBC Radio 1 and have recently opened for bands like Atreyu and The Blackout, thanks to their unique blend of modern metal and hardcore, infused with huge synth hooks and pop elements. Early 2024 saw the premiere of ‘i hope this finds you – live in session’, a collaboration with Vier Live, and a month later, newshapes present their new song ‘feel it [feat. Scott Kennedy of Bleed From Within’]. 

The song opens with an explosion of energy thanks to a stellar blast beat from drummer Logan Whyte accompanied by a signature newshapes synth overlay. The energy is amplified by vocalist Ian Mann with his switches from clean to screams, and throughout the song we are shown his impressive vocal range. The melodic hook of the chorus is something that you won’t forget, so good luck trying to tell someone you don’t need something without singing. though the song’s overall energy proves itself to be high and driven, it’s far from intimidating with Troy Hopkins’ deep and texture-rich bass tones grounding the song altogether. Things only slow down a bit when it’s time for the breakdown, enter Scott Kennedy, vocalist of Bleed From Within. Kennedy has a harsher tone than Mann, and Bleed From Within have a different sound to newshapes, however his vocals are a perfect fit, sending the power of the song into overdrive. The backend of the track is tied together with intertwined vocal layers creating a harmonious to and fro feeling. ‘feel it’ ends with a guitar riff so satisfying that you’ll never want it to stop.

I’ve found that newshapes writes lyrics that anyone can relate to in one way or another (you don’t want to know how many times I’ve listened to ‘wandering’), and ‘feel it’ is no exception. ‘feel it’ delves into topics like feeling disconnected and striving for genuine relationships, the longing for real connections in tough times. Feeling frustration with being emotionally distant, pushing for facing internal struggles, and emphasising the significance of being open and true. 

This small but mighty band has got some serious talent and potential that can't be denied. With their unique sound and incredible energy, newshapes is definitely on the path to big success in the music scene. Make sure to keep an eye on them because they're a band that's worth watching.