Edinburgh-based noise-makers Shinlifter release their debut EP Other Conspiracies. Formed in late 2023, the quartet have been carving out a reputation in the local DIY scene. Recorded mostly live in a single day with Scott McLean (Ashenspire / Maud the Moth / Healthy Living), the three tracks of self-described “poetic-nonsense” are wrapped in a soundscape which unequivocally demands attention: noisy, at times chaotic, and driven by a furious interpretation of the world around them, its a mighty impressive debut.
The opening guitar riff of ‘Close Encounters’ lays a foundation which is quickly supported by the impassioned vocals of Olivia Furey. Inspired by drummer Calum Barnes’ Substack essay about UFOs it is laden with stream-of-consciousness rants about paranoia, suburban dread, and petty childhood grudges. The vocals are clear and decipherable which is imperative because the lyrics need to be heard:
“Everytime I think about anyone who’s ever wronged me
I want to list the first of name of every fucker from primary school to present
But I keep getting distracted by stories of shit aliens abductions
That are more than likely people being gaslighted by sleep paralysis.”
‘Close Encounters’ is off kilter punk, at times jagged and yet at others jauntily bouncing along. The rule is there are no rules to the structure of the track. It’s a cohesive whole yes but it heads off here and there, gloriously unpredictable and thoroughly satisfying because of it.
‘Brewdog’ takes a swipe at the Scottish craft beer giant. The heavy doom laden pace sits at the forefront of this track, appropriate for the gleeful venom employed to tell the story, warts and all. Brewdog hit its own self-destruct button with a number of controversies and while its too soon to speak of its demise, the riff-heavy guitar is a perfect bedfellow for the ominous pounding drum. The lyrics are spat out with disdain:
“Built on being
A post punk
Mother fucker
Of a craft brewer
In its early days
Brewdogs laddish humour
And disruptive marketing
Won the brand plaudits
With the Industry
And fans alike
Intentional descension
Has always been it’s dogma”
The mid track break is just a tad long enough for the listener to think ‘Brewdog’ was finished, but oh no, Shinlifter are not done yet, pointing out their hypocritical behaviour. The end perhaps mirrors the company itself, slowly dragging itself down, its reputation dropping and support for it dwindling.
“We believe lies
We’re told to the BBC
We support investigative journalism
At this brewery”
Closer ‘Working Woman’s Blues’ has the most surprising start, the delicate plucking of strings. The drums soon jump in and an electric guitar dances all across the track. Lyrically it weaves Poet Michael Hulse’s ‘Dole Queue’ into a spiky anthem about work, class, and who’s really robbing whom.
“Tom Paine
At one time made ladies’ corsets
And why not I took had a job once On an assembly line
Seems a long time ago
Now every fucking Monday
I stand here
I slack, I slouch, grow grey faced
What do I care about the law”
It’s a gripping song, nearly seven minutes in length, with that electric guitar dominating, it’s twitchiness providing an edge before all hell breaks lose, the defiance obvious its delivery across both vocals and instrumentation. However ‘Working Woman’s Blues’ calmly and slowly fades out – a dignified and self-controlled end to Other Conspiracies, exuding a sense perhaps of “don’t let the bastards get you down.”
Shinlifter have produced a debut EP loaded with the chaotic and cathartic energy of their live shows, but it also has a spread of both chaos and control. A fine debut which will only result in widening their fanbase as they continue to grow.
For more information on Shinlifter please check their instagram and bandcamp.
Review: 8 out of 10