Bio
Like the lovechild of a David Lynch fever dream and a warehouse dancefloor at 3 a.m. - The Shops are a perfect cure for anyone drawn to the mysterious corners of music. From the foggy shores of Gabriola Island and gritty streets of London, The Shops are here to taunt and haunt your ears. A creative force that delves into the surreal, mixing brooding beats, shadowy basslines and synths, this electro-noir duo - Mr. & Mrs. Shops - have concocted a brew of darkwave, trip-hop, and ASMR-indie style that transports listeners into the heart of a neo-fantasy thriller. Recently handpicked by the discerning tastemakers at *Fresh On The Net* - where they rose to the top of a 173-strong playlist - The Shops blend cinematic soundscapes and hypnotic dual vocals that channel classic, dark-pop songwriting with a modern, electronic twist. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences, art, stories, and the night’s stillness, The Shops are the soundtrack to your next dark daydream.
Go to tracks; You’re My Favorite Drugs, Tomorrow, Critical Love Condition, Beautiful, Alien.
Linktree ; https://linktr.ee/wearetheshops
Disco ; https://s.disco.ac/sjujfrzclwbd
Spotify ; https://open.spotify.com/artist/6vG2meWCeYT1KAFUnGkMft
Soundcloud ; https://soundcloud.com/user-536732552/sets/the-shops-album
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Reviews @ Freshonthenet.co.uk
The Shops – ‘You’re My Favorite Drugs’
"...A shuffling cadavre of a love song. I’ll put it straight into my lovemaking playlist, and several others. This is exactly my kind of understated style, and I think it’s my favourite track from this week’s inbox…” Will Farr - Eclectic Picks Bristol, UK - Fresh On The Net Batch 546 https://freshonthenet.co.uk/2024/10/eclectic-picks-batch-546/
Fresh On The Net Top 10; ‘You’re My Favorite Drugs’; https://freshonthenet.co.uk/2024/10/faves546/
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The Shops - You’re My Favorite Drugs Review - Expansion Radial.
The Shops, the duo made up of Mr & Mrs Shops XX, transports us to a sound universe full of nuances with ‘You’re My Favorite Drugs’. This single, part of their debut album, Tomorrow, stands out for its electronic textures and a dynamic as simple as it is addictive. With an enveloping atmosphere, the song is ideal to get lost in the moment and get carrried away by its rhythms and melodies.
From the first verse, ‘You’re My Favorite Drugs’ addresses an intense and almost magical emotional connection. The phrase “Best thing about you is when you dont know, the things that you do...” encapsulate the essence of love: the inspiration that someone can provoke without realizing it. Its an ode to those sublime moments that transform the routine into something extraordindary.
On the other hand, the lines “Feels get so good when you turn up again” and “Say goodbye to pain” reinforce the metaphor of emotions as a drug, as pleasant as it is addicitve. The lyrics explore the duality of loving someone, or something that heals and at the same time consumes you. This contrast gives depth to the song and makes it resonate emotionally with those who listen to it.
This is a clear example of The Shops talent and vision. The production manages to capture a nocturnal, intimate and almost cinematic sensation. The mix of electronics and downtempo creates a sophisticated atmosphere, but with a relaxed touch that invites movement. Personally, I like how they manage to balance a simple dynamic with an enveloping effect that catches from the first second.
Listen and Follow The Shops;
Dont miss the opportunity to listen to ‘You’re My Favorite Drugs’ and immerse yourself in the unique sound of The Shops. Follow them on social media and keep abreast of their upcoming launches. Play and expand your senses with my recommendations!
https://linktr.ee/wearetheshops
Oliver Zurita - Expansion Radial @ - Mexico City, MX. https://www.expansionradial.mx/the-shops-youre-my-favorite-drugs-alternative/
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INTERVIEW Q&A;
1. How long have The Shops been making music? We have been writing and recording music for four years, and performing music for two years - its been quite a trip...
2. How and where did you make the music? Using our two voices, beats, bass & synth riffs, cinematic sounds and instruments - we made the music in a small studio room, on a tiny island at the end of the universe…. Gabriola BC. We’ve spent the past two years perfecting our live show, which now sounds just how we like it.
3. What is Gabriola Island Like? Imagine a mix of Twin Peaks and Laurel Canyon on an island surrounded by creative friends, wildlife, ravens, elves, witches, trees and fresh air...wearing Doc Martens.
4. How did you both meet? At a nowhere-else-to-go London after-party… at the other end of the universe.
5. What inspirations do you draw from when making new songs? Inspiration is everywhere. We love classic noir and B-movie films, The Red Shoes, stories, novels, art, achitecture, ridiculous and relatable personal experiences, orchestral music, cool dark songs, beats & bass sounds that find us with open ears, or phrases we say or imagine ; “…you’re my favorite drugs…” or “…sometimes you come from over here, sometimes you come from over there…” sometimes a thought gets turned into a rhythmic sentence. Art and music are bigger than all of us, a sheltered place to go - put down the smartphone and take youself there…
From: Gabriola, BC & London, UK
For fans of: Massive Attack, Soffi Tucker, Zimmer, Kate Bush, Billie Eilish, Primal Scream, The Kills, Chemical Bros., Boom Boom Boom…
Why you’re going to love them: Listen to the music. From the darkwave trip-hop vibes of ‘Alien’ to head-bobbling infectious tunes like ‘You’re My Favorite Drugs’, ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘Critical Love Condition’ The Shops beats-bass-ASMR-indie creations are winning more admirers with every new song and performance.
John & Sian XX @wearetheshopsxx
Contact via Linktree;
