The Shed Project are set to release their second album ‘Our Fear Is Their Power’ on November 24th via One Love Records. The record was produced by Daniel Hayes and recorded at The Ivy Studio in their hometown of Bolton.
On their debut album, ‘The Curious Mind Of A Common Man’ the band knocked out a collection of songs which paid homage to their heroes Stone Roses, Northside, The Mondays and aspects of the C86 movement. Moments like ‘My Life’, ‘Lucky Number’, and ‘Modern Way’ lit up their tales with undeniable psychedelic and baggy licks.
Bridging the gap sonically between the albums are former single ‘Ghost Town’, ‘Naughty’, and ‘Easy’. The former is blessed with John Squire’s power, the indomitable groove of ‘Chicken Rhythms’ and the lysergic beauty of Afflecks Palace. ‘Naughty’, whilst questioning the notion of “getting on it” and its slippery slope comes with Mani-esque crunching basslines and Paul Ryder’s funked hedonism vision of rock ‘n’ roll rock ‘n’ roll visions. On ‘Easy’ however, they link to the first album with the Roses licks and signify this albums’ distinct change. Power! The delicate licks of the debut spiral into a more intoxicating brand of psychedelia and thus, begin to forge their identity as a band.
The harder sonic is laid bare on former singles ‘If You Know You Know’ and ‘Our Fear Is There Power’. The expansive sonic of Squire’s ‘It’s Begging You’ is injected with brutality. The hedonism fades into a realm of rage and angst that explodes into with the combined power of The Who and The Verve at their most volatile. On the title track, the harder edges are met with visceral social commentary too. Our decaying government! Polemic is not something naturally associated with the rock ‘n’ roll of the Northwest, but it’s always loitered in the hearts of Ian Brown and Noel Gallagher. Roy Fletcher’s success here proves the icons could have been more overt in their lyrics. His line in the sand is met with haunting licks and a bassline desperate to break its leash. Together, they spiral with the baggy ease of The Charlatans towards the eruption of psychedelic guitars. It’s far less a solo and more a howl of hatred.
The newfound power develops further In the politicised lyrics on ‘Ghost Town’ and the gritty examination of drug use of ‘Naughty’. ‘Ghost Town’, a modern take on the Specials classic told from the perspective of their native Bolton. They countenance the notion of “levelling up” by highlighting increased homelessness, poverty, and race to the bottom across all industries. Their despair is lit up by sunlit guitar licks and frontman Roy Fletcher’s angelic vocals. It's as fine a juxtaposition as you’ll hear this year. ‘Naughty’ however, strays into the realms of tragedy as Fletcher decrees “one thing leads to another / then you lose your brother”. A fine update on Buffalo Springfield’s “your troubled young life / Had made you turn to the needle of death”.
What began as mates in a Shed playing for fun has become the do-or-die rock ‘n’ roll generations live for! Their attempt to convey their moods has given a window into a nation teetering on the edge of revolt at its politicians, media, and institutions falter. This is rock ‘n’ roll for the people by the people, and it's no wonder they’re selling out venues across the UK.