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!

The post The Shrubs channel psychedelic nostalgia and social commentary on philosophical new single, Let Us In appeared first on KIMU.

Establishing the mood with a subtle rising frequency and a dimensional guitar melody, expanding with rolling, high octane drums and a tropical 60s adjacency, The Shrubs open Fall Behind with a shimmering vibrancy.

The opus expands with atmospheric vocals laced with poetic prowess and metaphorical, introspective depth. We immediately connect with the dreamy universe that manifests, the instrumental is sublime and we feel transported with the energy that manifests.

We learn that Fall Behind marks an invigorating step forward for the Houston-based trio’s evolving journey. Departing from their earlier, slower, and more melancholic style, the new single embraces the bright, propulsive energy of surf rock, drawing sonic inspiration from pioneers like The Ventures and The Bambi Molesters. We can definitely feel this come to life, although there is no doubt that The Shrubs are creating a sound unto their own.

Fall Behind was recorded at The Shrubs‘ home studio, Flowers on the Wall, in Katy, Texas, which helps bring to life the authenticity that transmutes with the track through its analog production process. The trio, consisting of Josh, Miguel, and Sophie, created the song by running parts through reel-to-reel machines and cassette decks, which explains the nostalgic and dreamy textures, ergo complementing the song’s themes of change and uncertainty. The song would be great to experience poolside on the roof of Petit Ermitage in West Hollywood, where they have a playlist that Fall Behind would fit on perfectly!

Naturally, we are in awe, and have added Fall Behind to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of The Shrubs, including the entirety of their 2024 album, Echoes of a Dream.

The post The Shrubs tap into notions of raw nostalgia and contemplation with dreamy and immersive new single, Fall Behind appeared first on KIMU.