Album Review: Rows by Shell Fantasy
Alright, buckle up, folks. We’re diving into Rows, the 2018 brainchild of Shell Fantasy—a Danish electronic wizard who seems to have accidentally stumbled into a wormhole of ambient and experimental vibes. Released under the label Janushoved (which sounds like something you’d name your indie rock band in high school), this album is… well, it’s not exactly your go-to party playlist unless your idea of “partying” involves staring out a rain-speckled window while pondering life choices.
First off, let’s talk about that track Untitled. Yeah, real creative with the naming there, Shell. But hey, don’t judge a tune by its lackluster title because this thing? It slaps—in an understated, “I’m-not-trying-too-hard-but-still-kinda-genius” kind of way. The piece drifts along like fog rolling over Copenhagen at dawn, all soft synths and distant echoes. You know those moments when you’re stuck between sleep and waking up, and everything feels kinda floaty? That’s Untitled. It doesn’t demand attention; it just sneaks into your soul and sets up camp. Honestly, I remember it because halfway through listening, I forgot what year it was. No joke.
Then there’s another gem—let’s call it Track X for kicks (because honestly, these titles are giving me nothing). This one starts off slow, almost lazy, but then BAM! Outta nowhere comes this glitchy little riff that sounds like someone dropped their vintage Casio keyboard down a flight of stairs. And yet—it works. Like, weirdly so. It’s chaotic without being obnoxious, experimental without feeling pretentious. If Untitled is the dreamy introvert of the group, Track X is the quirky friend who shows up late to the party wearing mismatched socks and somehow steals the show.
What makes Rows stick with me isn’t just its soundscapes—it’s how unapologetically itself it is. There’s no attempt to cater to trends or squeeze into some Spotify algorithm-friendly box. Instead, Shell Fantasy gives us nine tracks of pure sonic exploration, each more abstract than the last. Sure, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re into music that challenges as much as it comforts, this one’s worth a spin.
And here’s the kicker: after listening to Rows, I couldn’t help but wonder—if Shell Fantasy ever made a follow-up album entirely composed on kitchen appliances, would anyone bat an eye? Probably not. Because at this point, they’ve earned the right to make whatever bizarre, beautiful noise they want. So yeah, give Rows a shot. Just don’t blame me if you start hearing untitled tunes in your dreams.
