Photo: Press
Listening to 'Shapeless' by songwriters Alela Diane & Ryan Francesconi is akin to what is called a numinous experience. The term describes a feeling of great spirituality that's pressured by a sense of unknowing - a profound phenomena, I like to think.
A collaboration that came about after a bonding over creative standstills, the two joined forces (Alela on vocals and Ryan composing guitar parts) to write a record together. Initially slow to come around, Alela supposedly had trouble envisioning melodies in the beginning but soon enough the two came together in beautiful harmony - in both senses.
'Shapeless' is minimilist in instrumentation but wealthy in character and emotion. The guitar composition is sparse which clears the table for ghostly choral harmonies from Alela that sit under her frontal vocal performances - "Blackness, blackness, infinite black / Take us back to the shapeless black". The dark imagery is interweaved with organic percussion and the sense of true accomplishment - it feels like a genuine labour of love.
Listen to the gorgeous sounds of 'Shapeless' below
Alela Diane & Ryan Francesconi eight track, new album, Cold Moon, is out 16 October. Visit here for the pre-order link. If you want to catch the duo live, be sure to swing by one of their shows in either Brighton, London or both - dates are below:
10 November: Komedia, Brighton
11 November: Bush Hall, London
Support these absolutely amazing musicians by swinging by their social channels:
