Review: Shape of Water – “Lockdown on Mars EP” (2021) 

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Shape of Water is an alternative art-rock band formed in 2018 by Rox Capriotti (vocals, keyboards and bass guitar) and Luca De Falco (guitars and backing vocals) in Manchester.

The guys met in 2004 in their hometown of San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy where the first band they formed together was called The Lotus. Their debut album “Great Illusions” was released in summer last year and dealt with the misconception of human feelings, politics, and society.

The band have spent time “reinventing” some of their songs for an EP release entitled “Lockdown On Mars” with reimagined, re-recorded cinematic versions of “Mars-X” and “The World Is Calling Me”, an electro-acoustic version of “Perfect Love”, a remake of Still Karma entitled “The Great Still Karma” and a cover of Hurt by Nine Inch Nails.

`Mars-X (Cinematic Version)` kicks off this extended play and it does have a different texture to the original release, where the crashing guitar chords come in at the end of the first section of the number there are orchestrated strings giving it an interesting limitless aura. It still retains it`s troubling sense of impending tragedy and need for redemption. There are some subtle changes again on `The World Is Calling Me (Cinematic Version)` whereas the original is a real rock out with grinding, hurtling guitar riffs that allows the narration to feel as if it`s come from the point of view of a crazed-out megalomaniac, the reworked version has a wonderful fragility about it. Again there`s arranged strings in place of guitars which betrays a sense of sadness and inevitability about the perceived inevitable situation.
`Perfect Love (Electro-acoustic Version) ` is about sexual experimentation and the thin line between sexual freedom, love and guilt. As the title suggests we enjoy a stripped back electronic come acoustic interpretation which has some intricate piano vibrations giving it the impression of a heart-breaking love ballad. In contrast the album cut is a more atmospheric quite uplifting anthemic rock / pop composition. We have a reworked rendition of `Still Karma` in the form of `The Great Still Karma` which in principle seems to be an extended rendition of this magnified euphoric spiritual submission of cause and effect with some piano keys and strings joining towards the end of the track.
This release closes with a cover of `Hurt` and I felt it was brave of the guys to even attempt a song like this. I like the original Nine Inch Nails version but to me nobody comes near to Johnny Cash`s interpretation, a number that never fails to bring tears to my eyes when I listen to it. It`s an interesting slant that initially has a buzz saw guitar riff running through it with some crashing cymbals and pounding drums. It then builds from a quietly repetitive electronic beat and vocals and veers along with an off-kilter guitar and vocals that grow to a scream before the song concludes with a shriek leading to a breathless conclusion. I have to say it was really good and i`m sure will be a grower.

Somehow. I missed Shape of Water`s debut album on release last year but “Lockdown on Mars” has ensured that I have now become acquainted with it. There was so much to enjoy with this release which I felt had a kind of poignant appeal about it. A sort of emotional music for whatever frame of mind you`re in. On the strength of what I’ve heard I’d encourage you to allow Shape of Water to flow into your life.

Rating 9 /10

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