There’s chemistry with three people. The trio. There’s something about three people on stage that I find completely captivating. It’s naked, it’s broken down, they either have to make a lot of noise or they have to be very quiet. It’s the ultimate expression of “us against the world.”
Not my words but those of The Go-Betweens’ Robert Forster. However, he echoes my sentiments. I’m not sure if London-based rabble rousers Shopping actually feel up to fighting a planet full of outsiders, but the band is certainly one that sticks to its collective guns in the pursuit of causing as much dancefloor carnage as humanly possible. The tetchy trio will release its third album The Official Body on January 19 through FatCat.
Although Shopping had to contend with the inconvenience of a disruption to their democratic songwriting relationship when drummer Andrew Milk relocated to Glasgow, it hasn’t seemed to have phased them at all. Recorded over ten days with indie king Edwyn Collins, The Official Body is an album full of limitless energy and catchy refrains courtesy of Milk, bassist Billy Easter and the mercurial guitarist Rachel Aggs.
Hooks o’ plenty can be heard on the driving, top gear anthem “The Hype.” In fact, if you like the slinky guitar lines and chopped-up-riddims of producer Collins’ legendary band Orange Juice, this single should be right in your post-punk wheelhouse. Check out the video (directed by Billy Easter and Jack Barraclough) down below, followed by The Official Body’s tracklisting and a spring 2018 North American Shopping spree!
Meanwhile, pre-order it on CD, digital, or LP here or here or here. See, what’d I tell you??? THREE: it really IS the magic number.
The Official Body’s official bodyparts:
01. The Hype
02. Wild Child
03. Asking for A Friend
04. Suddenly Gone
05. Shave Your Head
06. Discover
07. Control Yourself
08. My Dad’s A Dancer
09. New Values
10. Overtime
Live Shopping:
01.27.18 - Glasgow, UK - Stereo *
02.02.18 - Newcastle, UK - Cluny 2
02.03.18 - Salford, UK - Eagle Inn
02.07.18 - Bristol, UK - Exchange ^
03.01.18 - Boston, MA - Great Scott #
03.02.18 - Providence, RI - Columbus Theatre #
03.03.18 - Brooklyn, NY - Market Hotel #
03.04.18 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s #
03.06.18 - Washington, DC - Union Stage #
03.07.18 - Asheville, NC - Mothlight #
03.08.18 - Savannah, GA - Savannah Stopover Festival
03.09.18 - Atlanta, GA - 529 #
03.10.18 - New Orleans, LA - Gasa Gasa #
03.11.18 - Houston, TX - Walter’s #
03.13-15.18 - Austin, TX - SXSW
03.16.18 - El Paso, TX - Lowbrow Palace #
03.17.18 - Phoenix, AZ - Rebel Lounge #
03.18.18 - San Diego, CA - Whistle Stop #
03.20.18 - Santa Ana, CA - Constellation Room #
03.21.18 - Los Angeles, CA - Resident #$
03.22.18 - San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop $
03.23.18 - Portland, OR - Bunk Bar $
03.24.18 - Seattle, WA - Vera Project $
03.27.18 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th St Entry
03.28.18 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen
03.29.18 - Detroit, MI - Delux Fluxx
03.30.18 - Toronto, ON - Baby G
03.31.18 - Montréal, QC - Bar Le Ritz
* The Spook School
^ Colleen Green and Wych Elm
# French Vanilla
$ Lithics