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Shields embody the Playlist Generation.
While other artists publicly decry music streaming services, Shields have been shaped by the diverse artists whose music they might never have heard through more traditional means.
Shields’ musical output is a reflection of these diverse influences, and their debut album ‘How Can We Fix This?’ has a genuinely broad appeal whilst at the same time refusing to conform to a simple description.
After hitting the live circuit heavily (including support tour dates with Placebo and Everything Everything, and performing at Glastonbury and the BBC6 Music Festival in Newcastle), the band crafted a tight sound and a solid body of songs, ready to record this debut.
The development of their unique sound has been largely due to their DIY approach to production. Using their own studio space to record a vast range tracks over a 12-month period, the band caught the eye of double Grammy award-winning producer Adrian Bushby (Muse, Foo Fighters) who helped them complete their debut album.
“Shields blew my socks off… [a] tight, beautiful, powerful sound with perfectly honed vocals… Songs which took you on journeys… Huge energy… Huge commitment.” -Tom Robinson, BBC 6Music
“…a big clomping synth spectacular that’s reminiscent of a sunnier Everything Everything.”
– The Guardian
Bushby said, “Shields, in my opinion, are one of the best bands I’ve heard in a long while in both songwriting and performance. They are an incredibly fresh and original-sounding band who I think will go on to achieve great things.”
The recent single ‘Face to Face’ captures the kind of innovative alt-pop instrumentation and delicate harmonies that saw 2012 single ‘Mezzanine’ (also on appearing on the album) featured as iTunes’ single of the week and garnering praise from sources as diverse as Kylie and Zane Lowe.
For fans of Everything Everything, Metronomy and Foals, ‘How Can We Fix This’ is a well-polished math record, with indie and electronic influences proving its eclectic influences.