This is what we like to see. Insanely talented producer Simon Shackleton is back and his new musical direction is giving us all the feels. After impacting the breaks scene as Elite Force, the award-winning music producer is now creating “emotive electronica”. Shackleton’s new sound has captured our heart. We like to call it electronic music for grown-ups.
The revered producer has created a series of tracks exploring the transitional period between sleeping and waking – the interplay between the conscious and subconscious mind. This space in-between – where the Alpha and Beta brainwaves exist on a simple spectrum of frequencies – fascinates Shackleton.
“I’m intrigued by how they interact; how they sometimes work to sabotage one another, yet somehow co-exist seamlessly,” says Simon. “There’s something indescribable, yet universally relatable about the intangibility of the ‘dream state’. Much in the same way that emotion expressed through music is both highly subjective and individual, yet universally ‘understood’.”
Simon Shackleton’s emotive electronica is appealing to ears far and wide. Anjunadeep snapped up his Traumstaat track for the label’s annual compilation. Mixed, as usual, by label chiefs James Grant and Jody Wisternoff, Anjunadeep 13 was released late March – and Simon’s streaming figures instantly soared.
Brooding
Now comes new track Oplot, a brooding and deeply evocative piece of broken beat electronica. The name of a Ukrainian tank, Oplot is a collaboration with Canadian outfit Objekt22. They approached Shackleton with a track containing several poignant samples from a Ukrainian operatic recording. Instantly drawn to the emotive tone of the samples, Shackleton created his own cinematic interpretation, building the string parts and melodic content from the ground up.
With the horrific war raging inside Ukraine, Shackleton says Oplot is dedicated to “the courage, determination, bravery and fortitude of the Ukrainian people”.
Live Show
With another track from the series primed for a June release, Shackleton is planning to take his new sound out on the road. Working with several talented musicians, he’s currently putting together an exciting live show that will offer audiences a highly engaging experience.
“I’m incredibly excited to be playing live once again,” says Simon. “There’s something about sharing these moments in time with other musicians that elevate the creative experience. My plan is to expand the line-up to include live string players whenever possible, for an experience that’s unique, heartfelt and as far removed from the world of commercial EDM as possible.”
Shared Emotion
Here at iamCrü, we’re delighted to see Shackleton so enthused. The British DJ and producer is certainly enjoying this new creative landscape. “In the past, I’ve often imposed limitations and constraints on myself as an artist in order to meet the more functional demands of DJs and the dancefloor,” says Simon. “But in recent years I’ve developed an understanding of how important music is as a language of shared emotion.”
Simon Shackleton and Objekt22’s Oplot is out now. What’s more, Oplot kicks off Shackleton’s new mixtape – “an hour of deep, progressive broken beat electronica and cinematica from the far side of the tracks”. Do yourself a favour and wrap your ears around both. Welcome back, Shack!
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