Shaven Primates – Birds Aren’t Real (EP)

The new EP of Oxford-based dark-wave, art-rock, proto/post-punk band Shaven Primates contains one ingredient that clicked with me right away: intense honesty. And as I listened to the songs, it got clear that this handmade raw and edgy honesty is the essence of the band, it’s not just what they transmit on this EP.

Starting with “Fade Away”, the EP builds the base for what is about to come. Mostly handmade driving dark rock is the base for the vocals doing their thing in a very signature-styled, no shenanigans way. And listening closely to this opening track, you’ll find out that there is actually a lot happening that’s not really obvious to the ear if you won’t listen closely. A playful and almost chiptune-ish intermezzo blends with the guitars as if this was the most normal thing in the world, creating an odd scenery with a strange familiar undertone. This vibe is what I’d like to call Primate punk for now, it’s a genre mix you won’t find out there but in the work of this band. “A Decision” has a very special dreamy approach, with reverbed textures floating along the vocals. But this is not your happy carefree dream, no. The dark melodic concept holds the track just in the zone between dream and nightmare. With almost retro-flavored synth melodies and a sophisticated bass line, the track feels as if it was searching for a deeper meaning, alternating between bright and dark while creating an awesome atmosphere for the listener to exist in.

The core ability of Shaven Primates is blending all the elements together in my opinion. It’s easy to overwhelm the listener with a ton of single tracks layered to a mudhole of sound, but throughout the tracks of these guys, the main elements are blended, but not stirred, so to speak.

With “Silicon Implants” we’re entering the punk scenario of things. While leaving the dreamy, soft and wavey environment, the track uses harsh simplified rhythm patterns and an edgy vocal performance to give the tune a gritty and edgy feel. You gotta love the boldness of this. Delivered with a smile that says “our world, our rules”, the track shows a more vibrant and quirky side of the band which does stand as an exclamation point. Whoever wasn’t sure until now that there’s a ton of versatility attached to this EP, now you should be fully convinced there is. “Unmasked” feels like falling into a soft cushion after the energetic walkthrough of the former track. Or… does it? I love the fact that the tunes tell their story with only seconds between mood sets. What feels dreamy and relaxing at first, ends with a free fall into the rabbit hole whenever the guys want it. But they won’t just push the listener with brute force or without a deeper meaning. That’s the beauty of the music of Shaven Primates, you gotta watch out at all times because this is not your mainstream fire-and-forget music. Closing the EP is “Birds Aren’t Real” which tells the story of someone who sees things from their own version of reality. While the track feels a bit tame compared to the others on the EP, it’s the most intriguing regarding the lyrical content for me. Whatever the other tunes transmit with melodic or conceptual intensity, this tune does with its statement. If I had to name my favorites, I’d pick “A Decision” for its melodic versatility, but definitely “the last tune “Birds Aren’t Real” for its lyrical energy.

In a way, you can see this EP as a showcase of what the Shaven Primates is capable of. This boldness, this genre- and regulation-defying attitude, and the intensely dark and gritty behavior of both music and lyrics, everything proves that there’s a truth connected to it all. This truth is that what the band delivers is what they are all about. With their music being a narrative of human emotion and experience, it’s their essence. They use whatever they want, blending it with blood, sweat, and a rocking glow to build an Oddworld and transmit a vibe that can only be found on this EP.