Shining – Animal

[schema type=”review” name=”Shining – Animal” description=”Label: Spinefarm Records” author=”Sabine van Gameren” pubdate=”2018-10-19″ ]Norwegian band Shining conquered the world with their Black Jazz the past couple of years, but anno 2018 the new is off and the band gives us something new. “Animal” is their new album and it is available on October 19.

Something different we could surely say, On “Take Me”, the opener of the album, we are starting with a bit of organized chaos, but in general we could maybe summarize it as a heavy version of Maroon 5. That catchy pop element suits with Munkeby quite well, especially because he can diversify it with heavier voices when he things it is suitable. Given, that is not right here right now. Going strong with this the album continues “Animal” which gives that organized chaos that comes with Shining, the song seems to bridge the previous two albums and this one.

“My Church” is one that comes from a deep place, a very passionate release of feelings. It was played last year at Shining’s show in Nijmegen and hearing the recorded version is quite interesting. A good role in this song is for drummer Tobias who gives an interesting add to the song, hyping up the whole atmpsphere of it.
Later “Smash It Up!” gives you some energy but you are taking a bit back with “When I Am Gone” and “Everyone Dies” which are more intimate. But perhaps most striking is the album’s closer “Hole In The Sky” a song featuring Linnea Dale. A conclusion to a release that is far from Shining and yet it is soooo Shining.

The diversity in the album is giving you a swing back and forth but it never loses grip on you, taken by the hand and live it alongside of you. It suits like a glove and the catchyness will not release you. But don’t be mistaken by mislabeling it towards pop. It is Shining renewing, refreshing and re-energizing. Maybe we miss the saxophone a bit, but perhaps that IS because it is Shining. Hadn’t we not seen that, it may not even be a thing.
Give it a few spins and you will be singing this “Animal” along. Allow yourself this pleasure, it may easily end up in your yearlist. It probably will in ours.

01. Take Me 02. Animal 03. My Church 04. Fight Song 05. When The Lights Go Out 06. Smash It Up! 07. When I’m Gone 08. Everything Dies 09. End 10. Hole In The Sky (with Linnea Dale)

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