Shape Of Water - Amor Fati (2022) Hi Res

Undeniably weird but extremely unique alternative rock, Shape of Water raise some eyebrows immediately with Starchild. The dramatic melodies, the harmonised vocals, the extreme use of electronica and the uptick in rockier rhythm; it’s as though Queen and Muse had a baby and it is attention grabbing.

Falling then follows and sees Shape of Water lean towards a more ‘radio-friendly’ alt-rock sound, the highlight being the smooth vocals, gorgeous piano melody and guitar solo. The Snoot then brings back the eccentricity and sees Shape of Water get nice and groovy. Before Don’t Leave Me in The Dark combines nice melody and a finger-tapping beat, and When All This Is Over pulls hard at the heart-strings. The latter track, one of the more captivating songs on the entire album.

At the halfway point, there’s no debating that Shape of Water have a lot of imagination and aren’t afraid to showcase it here. Each track, so far, has offered up something different and that certainly isn’t changing with the second half.

Numbers delivers grandness with a blend of shifting tones and easy listening vibes, A Ghost in Manchester (an extended version of their late-2021 single) has a fascinating piano-driven eeriness and utilises brass instruments to enhance that, and Everybody’s Gone serves to remind the listener of just how brilliantly dramatic Shape of Water’s music can be.

Speaking of brilliant… the stunning combination of unusual effects and soul-touching melody in Terraformer makes it one of the more outstanding tracks on the album. Still delightfully weird and deliciously alternative too, just wait for the saxophone solo. Before Words in Eternity wrap up this unbelievably memorable release in uplifting fashion. These final two tracks are stunning and really help elevate the overall album.

Although that shouldn’t suggest that there are any areas that are lacking, because that’s not the case. It’s a captivating and unique alternative listen that shows Shape of Water have the potential to blow up.