WARNING: EXPERIMENTAL.
Micachu and the Shapes were formed by classically-trained experimental musician Mica Levi, releasing their debut album Jewellery in 2009. The album was hotly tipped to be nominated for the Mercury prize but to many people's surprise, was not. However, Levi herself stated that she was "not totally behind that record." So what can they offer us on their second effort, Never?
Opening promisingly enough with Easy, the album immediately showcases an in-your-face attitude. It has fast, high vocals over fuzzy guitar and unconventional sounds (a lot of them created on homemade instruments), some abrupt stop/start moments and an almost recognisable chorus. It, like a lot of the album, has a very kitchen sink feel to it, and the opening track closes with what has to be the sound of a vacuum cleaner. The few tracks after that are also short, sharp and played at breakneck speed, but sound messier, less accessible and far less engaging.
Then comes the albums shining light. OK is hypnotic from the start, its spooky groove inducing an almost trance-like, psychedelic rhythm. The vocals resonate far clearer than anywhere else on the album and sound better for it. The lyrics are minimal, repetitive yet captivating. You don't necessarily pay much attention to the specific lyrics, but added to the music, OK collages into the whole package really well. The vocals especially make it sound like the kind of track The Beatles could have made if they had been slightly higher, had access to modern studio equipment and a little knowledge of electro. It's hypnotic, it's dreamlike, and it's good.
Unfortunately, that is the only significant highlight. The rest of the album sounds messy, inconsistent and at some points downright unlistenable. There are a couple of moments here and there where the band recaptures some form, but it is not for long enough to save this album. This being said, they never professed to be conventional, or easy to like. This is the music they make: like it, or don't. I think it reasonable to suggest that Micachu and the Shapes might be very interesting to watch live, as this sort of material would lend itself well to being played around and experimented with on stage, but sadly, I think Never is likely to leave most listeners bewildered, rather than excited.