Writing of single Florence / Figure It Out back in May, we described how Portland‘s Simple Shapes were “settling into their true form.” Released via Rue Defense, the songs saw Pete Bensen’s outfit combine “cathartic energy with nostalgic emotion to reflect on moments great and small,” as we put it. Be it the imagery of Italian Renaissance or everyday activities like dancing in your bedroom or smoking a cigarette. “With a characteristic blend of mood and groove,” as we concluded, “Simple Shapes elevate these actions into things to be cherished and celebrated, and in reflecting on them find a way to charge the present with newfound meaning.”
November sees Simple Shapes return with a new EP, Soundtrack. This time Bensen (lead vocals/guitar) is joined by Jeremiah Larsen (drums), Cassi Carter (bass), Justine Yee (guitar), JJ Shafe (vocals/synth) and Fabián Guerrero (saxophone), and the record is engineered by Elly Swope. The first peek at the release, recent single ‘American Lightning’ blurred indie rock and New Wave sensibilities to conjure something bundled up in nostalgia, unsure whether to cling to the old vision or let go for good.
Today sees the release of the EP’s second track, ‘Tortoise Party’. A song which, despite its easygoing opening, does little to live up to its chelonian title, the relaxed tones soon kicking into higher gear and finding an infectiously skipping rhythm. As the track progresses, this energy is overlaid with layers of guitar, Benson’s vocals surfing the various waves of sound as the drums power through with buoyant momentum. Exactly what a tortoise party is, we’re still not sure, though we know it is moody, groovy, and a whole lot of fun.
