Bradford based Red Shakes (Sam Da Silva) always has a bright feel-good aspect to his music, and new (October 2023) track Angel definitely keeps to that tradition.

https://spotify.link/VAeWmh6zHDb

Angel gives off a distinct loved up feel. Sam tells me this about the inspiration behind the track.

“Angel is written from a personal perspective, about how one person can romantically come in your life and they seem like an angelic figure, despite us doing mundane things together (staying in bed or ordering takeaways)”.

With earlier tracks, Red Shakes often utilises something of a fundamental solid rock n roll type sound as a base, but here with Angel, the vocal phrasing and pace has a more of the current feel to it. Punchy, but smooth around the edges.

To bring more colour to the vibe, there’s a striking and delicious jazzy piece of finger fret work along the guitar neck.

There’s a bright jaunty rhythm from a slick bassline and the drums. Then keys to add extra depth and complexity.

The backing vocals of Phoebe Sutherland are high, pure and sweet, and draws out a real power to this tune. Sophisticated is the word.

I’ve enjoyed the musical journey of Red Shakes and over the past couple of years our ‘shakey’ has pulled and honed his musical style into the distinctive one we hear here.

“Angel” was recorded at the end of 2023 at Gafro Studios in Elland. The track was written by Sam Da Silva and produced by Gus Turner. Gus is never associated to a bad tune.

The pace of Angel is more relaxed than many of Red Shakes up tempo feel good vibes, and I’m liking the different style. That all said, there’s never a point where you are but a few seconds from a smile. That’s classic Red Shakes.

* words by Tiggerligger

* images from Red Shakes socials