For Shipping Forecast‘s latest EP we returned to our goth wave era and we urge you to do the same. Their ‘Chapter I: Becoming Cyclonic’ is a fantastically dark and heavy cumulation of dark wave and rock soundscapes driven by grand and driving stadium rock drums.
‘Descendants’ is the unbelievably powerful introduction to the EP, and it’s only the first chapter of the band’s new era! Their progressive mixing of genres brings an eclectic and refreshing, unique sound to the scene, one that was popular a few too many years ago. The EP and its elaborate instrumentals span several genres, as on ‘The Clown’ we hear a softer and more theatrical atmosphere. Its first minute of hazy rock slowly builds towards a massive chorus which is what we now know Shipping Forecast for.
The EP explores the chaos of the storm that most of us have brewing in our heads, not at all times, but at times there are multiple. ‘In My Heart’ is an emotive track that gains strength throughout thanks to the vulnerability of being honest. The message behind the first chapter is to investigate how the acceptance of pain leads to feeling whole again, and urges us to lean into the pain, instead of running the other way.
We continue the emotive and open-hearted sound on ‘Voices’, taking it down a notch rhythm- and energy-wise compared to the opener of the EP. But what these songs at no point lack or lose any of, is power. The soft closer of their latest EP, ‘Wipeout’ perfectly evokes emotion and rounds off this musical rollercoaster. Carefully grand and confident, Shipping Forecast are incredible musicians and have found a sound that is filling in a gap in the modern musical landscape.
‘Chapter I: Becoming Cyclonic’ will be released exclusively with a select group of record shops in the UK, with only 100 being printed. The band is truly a DIY project, comprising of Ben Clare and Imogen, the two write, record, and mix (with help from Mark Walker) all of their own music. Artwork and visuals are taken care of by Imogen, and Clare handles Shipping Forecast’s promotion.
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