Album Review: The Shallows - Step Into: The Shallows

Too many cooks haven't spoiled the broth in The Shallows' kitchen. The (at-times) 13-strong Perth collective have put the old adage to shame again with their latest offering, and first LP, Step Into: The Shallows. Laden with layers of harp, electronics, strings and numerous guitars, the sound of The Shallows has been experimented with and developed into something more diverse, more complex and far supreme. Yep, there's nothing shallow about The Shallows.

Listening to this album completely blind could be a little disconcerting. It's varied and each track stands starkly alone. But once armed with the understanding that this is in fact a concept record, everything starts to make a lot more sense. From a struggle to peace, to warring then acceptance, the album takes the listener on a tumultuous journey through songwriter Adam Tatana's relationship gone awry.

Opener 5 is a faced paced drum-heavy tune; Waiting For It is one guaranteed to make you whistle while you work; Rebecca Erin Smith's Sia-esque swoon on Heart Shaped Stone is mesmerising and aptly named seven-minute track 7 features a breathtaking guitar riff. And then a heart is broken and things get darker. Instrumental Crystal Lakes wins the album highlight award, borrowing cues from the likes of Flying Lotus to offer up a more electronic sound. The Antidote is a gentle acoustic string feature and Death To Mankind follows guns blazing, a clamour of electronics, drums and rage. The final track on the album, Swept Into The Dark, is the furthest departure from the previous songs that The Shallows have recorded and perhaps a hint at a more electronic future for this ever changing, forever growing Perth supergroup.