Iya Shillelagh

WaterWeight

Image of Iya Shillelagh - WaterWeight
Record Label
Felt

About this item

Stark, cavernous and politically critical dub-poetry lands next on Felt in a vital sign-of-the-times fashion. Where much new music in our scene seems to act as a conduit for escapism, usually via melodic mind-balm or, if vocal at all, lyrical surrealism and ambiguity, the collaborative works of Eldon & Withdrawn take the left turn. The sound design perfectly fits into the Felt jigsaw puzzle: cold, slightly glitch-inspired, echo/reverb minimalism etc, but things are kicked up a stratosphere with the half dancehall-toasting, half scathing analysis of modern Britain coming straight from the mouth of Eldon.

Processed, enveloping kalimba notes shatter off into the distance in the opening moments of 'reGenaRation' before we're plunged into the depths. Bleeding into the title track, the A-side is all claustrophobic commentary on trickle down economics, overdrafts, killer shark metaphors and empire. Adam & Eve? Rewind and there's Shango, god of thunder and lightning. 5 rewinds later - still going. The B-side continues with equal strength, amazing wordplay and broken, industrial rhythms for a broken United Kingdom.

Iya Shillelagh is Eldon & Withdrawn
Recorded at Zig Zag Zig Studios
A2 co-produced by How-du
B1 co-produced by Shifting Borders
Mastered by GENG PTP
Design by Fergus Jones

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Alluring dub-poetry smothered in well formed basscapes. It's got that claustrophobic dancehall pulse and is guided by a deeply spiritual voice. A unique and magical release.

TRACK LISTING

A1. ReGenaRation
A2. WaterWeight (ft. How Du)
B1. Out Ere As A Outlaw (ft. Shifting Borders)
B2. Scyatta

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