- Artist: Shadows and Mirrors (@ShadowsMirrors)
- Album: Levels
- Label: Electric Dream Records (@dream_electric)
- Release Date: March 28, 2020
It’s 2019 in Rockford, Illinois. Shadows and Mirrors is sitting down to write their latest LP – Levels.
the electroscape connected with Shadows and Mirrors to learn about the inspiration for the album. The album was written during a time of loss, death, and anguish. This brought a keen awareness of levels of existence, which the band says the title refers to.
Levels is intense thanks to its strong industrial overtones throughout, yet there are nuggets of dark wave pioneers and ‘90s grunge artists looming as well.
Levels grabs hold of you within seconds, lifts you up, and then drags you through the underbelly of existence. But I promise you it will deliver you to the light with grace.
The album opens with “Sinister.” It has a tight beat that thumps and a penetrating synth line that will make you want to stand up. The dark clouds roll in quick, though, as the listener is tempted by the devil himself. This foreshadows ensuing themes of faith, prayer, and death.
Shadows and Mirrors said their songs are sometimes written from the perspective of a created character. It feels to me this plays out in “Deathbed” and “Dust”, tracks following the opener. These tracks showcase synthetic beats, funky bass lines and vocals seemingly delivered from another space which makes the listener feel like they are playing the role of the character themselves.
“Ridgeway” comes in about midway. Industrial influences are in the forefront from the onset and the vocals delivered with attitude. The grunge comes in during the chorus. Before you know it, you’re headbanging. Like many songs on Levels, Shadows and Mirrors open the space after the chorus to give the listener a moment to recover. This only adds to the theatrics of the album.
“Level Eleven” follows. This feels like a thousand souls pulling you into a black abyss. The dominant synth line is plain eerie and laid over a beat that gnaws at you.
“Breeder” enters with haunting bass and synth lines. The verses are delivered as if from right behind you. The chorus again brings a welcomed ‘90s grunge element.
“Becoming” intensifies the listening experience one last time. There’s a real physical tension that arises. It has a pounding, industrial beat, a piercing metal against metal. You will feel the lyrics. They shine a light on dark places.
The album closes with the title track. Take a deep breath. It delivers you from the darkness. The opening verse has an hint of ‘80s pop. The sky opens up and the brightness comes in.
Shadows and Mirrors has a unique style. They string together industrial, goth, synth, grunge, and pop influences into their music in a remarkably coherent fashion. One element of their music I especially like is the rock n’ roll structure of the songs. The songs loop you in with a catchy intro and verse, followed by a chorus, and so on. The band said they normally approach writing their songs by developing a bass line and let the lyrics flow from there, a sort of stream of consciousness approach rooted in the bands singer-songwriter history using guitar to lead the way.
The band is contemplating a different approach for the next album – write the lyrics first, then write the music. I’m intrigued.
In the meantime, Shadows and Mirrors is working toward distributing Levels on saw blade shaped vinyl. The band just released a synth pop cover of New Order’s “True Faith” as well, which you can give a listen below.