We previously featured The Shrubs when they tapped into notions of raw nostalgia and contemplation with the dreamy and immersive single, Fall Behind, so when we heard that the band was back with Let Us In, we were curious to say the least, and couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.
Let Us In opens with subtle background noise, a compressed drum roll and guitar riff, expanding into the forefront with dynamism and notions of timelessness. Situational, metaphorical prose, and atmospheric vocals guide us deeper into the song as we are greeted by hypnotic melodies and repeated motifs that resonate like a mantra, particularly the lyrics, “I’m doing fine…”
We love the raw, psychedelic rock energy that transmutes, it feels super authentic and like something we might experience at The Bronze in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, or in an episode of PLUR1BUS on Apple TV. A cerebral middle eight with subtle piano, bass, and rising guitar is sublime, and reminds us of early Grimes, although less electronica and more rock!
Speaking on the release, bandmates Miguel and Sophie confess, “Work on Let Us In began over a year ago, with the initial writing process starting around spring of 2025. It progressed very slowly due to our unusual recording methods, most of the instruments were recorded onto tape using one of our many reel to reel machines, then bounced into the digital realm.”
The duo from Houston continues, “We attempted to use the analog medium in the studio as an instrument itself, with some obvious tape degradation intentionally present throughout the track, giving it a “spacey” retro vibe.”
As for the message of the song, Miguel adds, “The lyrical subject matter primarily deals with behaviour patterns and how quick I think that we are prone to judging and placing people into comfortable mental labels in our minds, despite how far we may have come with overall acceptance of people with mental trauma or disorders, we still have a very long way to go, in my opinion anyway! I think the original idea came from seeing how the city Sophie and I live in, Houston, criminalizes or shows complete indifference to the growing homeless population, and I’m sure many other major cities as well. The message overall is a bit grim, but it is wrapped up in an upbeat musical style, which is a continuation of our last single stylistically, we seem to be exploring that a lot lately.”
Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added the philosophical Let Us In to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of The Shrubs, including Fall Behind!