2013 has been a year of some absolutely smashing releases from the beautiful Milwalkie record to the intrinsically insightful Conquering Animal Sound album.
Shooting Stansfield have crafted their own little piece of beauty with their latest EP We Know Not What We Do, taking precedence of a sound perfected by the likes of Frightened Rabbit and Meursault and turning it into their own little ditto of sheer splendour.
Over the piece, these six tracks are as well refined and smooth as anything you are likely to hear.
There’s a distinct rasp in the voice of Stewart Douglas which really transcends into the backbone of the music, most notably on opener ‘Blue Turns Black’, where there is an affecting stammer of despair and pride mixed and matched within the lyrics.
In hindsight it would probably have been a good idea to have poured a wee whiskey to enjoy this EP with; there is something really nostalgic and reflective about We Know Not What We Do.
I’m not sure whether it is the telling of hindsight within the songs or the jangly bristling guitars that endear themselves more, in the end it is like an arms race of melodies and harmonies that completely charm the earlobes.
There is a warmth and welcoming deliverance around Shooting Stansfield that will do nothing but stand them in good stead for future endeavours.
It will be interesting to see where they go from here.
Words: Chris Kelman
