Album Review: Shape Of Water – Great Illusions (Eclipse Records)

Shape Of Water is an alternative art-rock band from Manchester, UK. Great Illusions is the band’s debut album, which contains a broad scope of genres best described as alternative rock mixed-up with metal & synthwave overtones. This is something different… a dreamscape of emotions brought to life by the band’s surreal, unique songwriting style.

Great Illusions will be released on June 12th 2020 via Eclipse Records.

Catchy and theatrical, Mars-X sees Great Illusions begin to take shape but evolves into a much rockier latter half. A striking and effective opening track that tells you a lot about what kind of band Shape of Water are if you’re unfamiliar with them.

That inane catchiness is ever-present in Scar but the early standout is the sweetness of Perfect Love. The electronica getting its hooks in whereas the synth of Still Karma confirms that Shape of Water are incredibly skilled at consistently delivering wickedly infectious numbers.

It’s a much more dramatic offering with In Your Arms and A Silvia, the latter with a bit more pep in the beat. Needed as it’s a very long track but is more than capable of putting a smile on the face. Before we take a trip back to the synthwave days of the 80s with Not All the Things and the overtly melodramatic Five Days to Shine. It’s not unfair to say that the latter begins to drag but Shape of Water pull it back with the excellent desert rock sound of The World is Calling Me.

All before they wrap up a deliciously catchy album with Great Illusion, a powerful finale.

Shape of Water – Great Illusions Full Track Listing:

1. Mars-X
2. Scar
3. Perfect Love
4. Still Karma
5. In Your Arms
6. A Silvia
7. Not All The Things
8. Five Days To Shine
9. The World Is Calling Me
10. Great Illusion

Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Eclipse Records