On his debut album Irrational, Shane Rennison showcases his nostalgic charm and captivating songwriting to powerful effect
Revered for his soulful allure and captivating live performances, New York-based singer-songwriter Shane Rennison is an artist who has been making a name for himself over the last few years, building up to the release of his long-awaited, debut full length album Irrational, a showcase of the artist’s sound and style in its most fleshed out and complete form.
The album kicks off in stellar fashion with the upbeat ‘All the Scars’, a track that has a peppy and intoxicating charm to it throughout thanks to Shane’s energetic vocal delivery and the rich sonic tapestry on display. If you’re looking for something to give you a bit of a kick-start and fire you into action then this track feels tailor made for that, showcasing a bouncy pop rock flair that feels irresistible.
Things slow down a little on ‘Draggin” but the artist’s signature charisma and charm is still on full display, experimenting a little bit more with his structures and vocals while maintaining a compelling and catchy appeal with effortlessly ease. There is a swagger to Shane and his sound throughout the album that radiates from the tracks, and floods everything in its path with verve and life.
The track flows seamlessly into ‘What You Need To Know’, something that the artist and producer Julian Giaimo worked hard on in order to keep things feeling as tight and engaging as possible, and this works really nicely when compounded with the flowing and thoughtful feel of the latter, with the artist’s rampant flow of questions pairing nicely with its frantic and energetic feel.
The artist’s more vulnerable and intimate side emerges on the piano driven ‘I Think It’s You’, making for some really powerful and enchanting moments, whereas title track ‘Irrational’ delves into the darker side of love and relationships, exploring when arguments and fights blow something small out of proportion and how we can often be our own worst enemy in these situations.
‘Too Beautiful’ and ‘Losin’ You’ are tracks that continue to delve into complexities and hardships in relationships, with the latter having an almost folky approach and charm to the way that it is put together, packed full of engrossing sonic intricacies that make for a really immersive listening experience and adding a little bit of modern flair to a classic style.
‘Somewhere in Albany’ is a track that sees the artist in engrossing conversational form, continuing to use the authenticity and earnest appeal of his writing to captivate listeners, as he showcases some of the furthest reaches of his vocal range. This authenticity and rawness is something that lies at the core of the artist’s work, and the thoughtful refrain of “does it get easier?” makes for a really resonating moment.
The track is followed by ‘Long Road’, a track characterised by its intensity and a feeling of palpable tension that surrounds it, with a soundscape and vocal performance that feels in danger of spiralling and delving into chaos at any moment as it grows increasingly emotionally charged. Throughout the album, it feels like the artist is capable of shapeshifting into such a wide range of moods and styles, but while always holding onto what makes his work feel so human and real at the same time, and it makes for invariably powerful results.
‘Where I’m At’ is the closer of the album, and the tone of the pianos immediately set the tone for the reflective and moving feel of the track, with the artist delving into themes like self-discovery and not recognising himself. The album is a fittingly personal and cathartic end to an album that is layered with compelling stories, gorgeous melodies, musical experimentation, and above all, the charismatic appeal and storytelling nuance that Shane Rennison has in abundance, allowing each of these stories and narratives to feel fully realised and engrossing without ever wavering or meandering along the way.
