Shamir - “Reproductive”

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 10

Pairs Well With…Moses Sumney, Prince, serpentwithfeet

With each successive album, Shamir keeps get more insular in his music, a sound personable and reflective around indie pop and R&B forms. While each of the three preview tracks from upcoming seventh full-length Heterosexuality have an equal amount of high-impact draw, the diversity of songwriting is predictive of a wide-ranging collection on the way. “Gay Agenda” is an industrial, synth-pop track full of yearning vocal melodies, “Cisgender” a new wave, electronic pop song that builds layer by layer, and finally latest single “Reproductive” is a slow rock jam with a soulful sprit. No matter the genre, Shamir is committed, leaning in while still sounding true to himself. Note how Shamir effortlessly bridges hooks and avant-garde soundscapes here too, an outcome of matured songwriting balanced with true emotional heft. (Kevin McStravick)