Vince Leigh’s Single Review: Shapeshifters by John Reilly
By Vince Leigh (Ex drummer of Pseudo Echo, Tina Arena and John Farnham) of Australian Radio Promotion for Sheldon Ang Media
John Reilly, the troubadour who took the winding road from Liverpool to Sheffield, strikes again with Shapeshifters, an anthem that defies the mundane and dives deep into the realms of transformation. This track is a soaring flight through the mythic and the personal, wrapped in a rock-pop soundscape that’s both timeless and timely. Reilly’s career is a testament to the power of persistence and evolution. From his early days with Boy on a Dolphin, where he found success across the pond in the US and Canada, to his critically acclaimed solo ventures with albums like Tea Cozy Hat, Zebulon, and Bad Vibe Shredder, Reilly has always been a beacon of lyrical depth and vocal prowess. His involvement in the Women of Steel project, raising a whopping £170,000, underscores his commitment to using music as a force for good, a sentiment echoed by the BBC Radio airwaves.
Shapeshifters kicks off with a minimalist piano and vocal combo, drawing you in with a deceptive simplicity that sets the stage for what’s to come. It’s like the calm before the storm. As the full band joins, the track unfurls into an organic, soulful beast. Clean guitars weave through a laid-back rhythm, creating a melody that’s as memorable as it is engaging. Reilly’s lyrics dive into Navajo folklore, exploring the transformation into an eagle and a lion, metaphors for freedom and strength. These aren’t just flights of fancy; they’re calls to action. The chorus seems to continual to shift gears, sustaining energy throughout. This dynamic change is pure Reilly, a structural masterstroke that mirrors the thematic metamorphosis.
As the song progresses, a chant emerges, leading into a vocal interlude that builds anticipation for the final chorus. This crescendo is where Shapeshifters truly takes flight, with a key change that propels the song to its anthemic zenith. It’s a finale that leaves you breathless, yearning for more. Set to feature on Reilly’s upcoming album, Manta Ray, dropping in November 2024, Shapeshifters is a harbinger of what’s to come. The album will coincide with a UK and European tour with long-time collaborator Lewis Nitikman, promising to be a journey worth every mile. John Reilly’s Shapeshifters is a superb example of blending myth with melody, personal with universal.
