NZ Shapeshifter are releasing their fifth studio album, Delta, in the UK which has already reached number one in their native New Zealand. NZ Shapeshifter by name and by nature, this elemental, electronic soul outfit has morphed time and time again with seismic shifts in genre. From depth charge bass music, elastic electronic textures and barrelling breakbeats to bedrocks of soul, jazz and rave that ground their experimentation. But never has the well earned name been more apt than on Delta, their most fearless release yet.
Delta is the embodiment of their spirit of exploration. The sublime opening chords of ‘Arcadia’ and junglist jabs of ‘Shadowboxer’, neighbour elevated trance progressions in ‘Diamond Trade’ and jagged guitar riffs on ‘Giving Up the Ghost’. The album builds on NZ Shapeshifter’s bass heritage while barrelling forward into the future, unhindered by BPM counts or genre boxes. Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of the album is the electronic production underpinning the album. Live drums have mostly been eschewed for a backbone of digital rhythms that support everything from vintage analogue synths to horns and electric guitar. While the studio inputs have been tweaked, Delta’s ethos of experimentation is one that will be familiar to anyone who has chartered the group’s evolutions in sound. Like the mighty Twelve Mile Delta in the South Island of New Zealand, the album’s namesake, it marks a confluence of NZ Shapeshifter’s influences – past and present.
NZ Shapeshifter is made up of P Digsss (vocals), Devin Abrams (sax/keys/synths), Sam Trevethick (guitar/synths/sampler), Nick Robinson (bass/synths/MPC) and Darren Mathiassen (drums). Out of their four previous albums a staggering three of them are platinum selling setting them miles apart from the competition. On top of their huge mainstream commercial success, NZ Shapeshifter have released records through legendry south London Drum and Bass label, Hospital Records. After hearing opening track ‘Monarch’ before it went on the album, Hospital licensed it on the spot affirming the bands stake in not just mainstream but also cutting edge underground culture. ‘Delta’ is the natural progression of a band whom have evolved, mastering every sonic terrain they cross, gaining fans along the way from the largest stadiums to the smallest clubs across the world.