Live Review: Shy Luv share first taste of new EP with the peppy 'Like a River'

It's barely been a year since the last release from Manchester duo SHY LUV, yet they've just dropped the first taste of their upcoming EP Lungs with the infectiously jaunty cut 'Like a River.'

Formed by Sam Knowles (aka Karma Kid) and Jake Norman, the duo struck gold at the end of 2016 with their debut EP Shock Horror,  with tracks like 'Time', 'First Fires' and the title track 'Shock Horror' amassing millions of hits on Spotify and accolades from music publications worldwide.

'Like a River' begins with an almost chopped-and-screwed soundscape before morphing just as quickly into the perfect upbeat summer jam. Snappy bass, quick piano and even some xylophone combine to constantly keep your head bopping and your toes tapping. Fellow UK artist Bakar provides the vocals on this track, professing his love for a particular person and their companionship. There's a breakdown in the middle that sounds remarkably Gorillaz-ish, complete with acoustic guitar arpeggios (played by Will Rees of The Mystery Jets, fact fans!) and trebled vocals. Other influences, like Talking Heads and LCD Soundsystem filter through, making 'Like a River' the perfect, innocuous psych-pop tune.

Infectiously peppy was the aim of the game with this single, with the duo's tongues firmly in their cheeks - "we wanted to write this tune based around happiness and the sort of happiness you feel when you’re with someone you love and that feeling running through you." It's safe to say aced their goal - you can almost imagine this song playing over a montage of a happy couple running in a field, hand in hand, maybe throwing flowers over each other or something. I dunno, whatever couples do!

The well isn't yet dry for Shy Luv either. With their upcoming EP featuring a further three tracks, one featuring Robert Owens, and their debut LP Black Butter due out sometime in 2018, exciting things are in store for the duo.

WORDS BY MAX LEWIS

LISTEN TO MORE NEW MUSIC HERE

SEE ALSO

BOUNDARY BREAKING VIDEOGRAPHY IN SHY LUV’S NEWEST CLIP

SHY LUV ‘CAUGHT UP ON YOU’