Robin Shaw – Jekyll and Hyde (2023)
Beginning as a hip-hop street dancer performing in local talent shows, including Britain’s Got Talent, 16-year-old Robin Shaw showed us he had the moves; however, it was only at age 23 that he proved he can sing as well. Along with his long-time producer Chris Hall, Shaw brings a little bit of genre-diverse light into anyone’s rainy day – and trust me, it rains a lot in the UK. We discovered the Bressingham-based singer-songwriter earlier this year with his well-received track ‘Yours Sincerely’ and, truthfully, I am disappointed we hadn’t discovered his music sooner. From 2017 to 2023, Shaw released intoxicating tunes that turned heads across the globe. The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘Jekyll and Hyde’.
Adopted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s book The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, the term “Jekyll and Hyde” deals with two personalities within one body. Think of the Hulk who you wouldn’t like when he is angry; then add more darkness and you have the calm, steady Dr Jekyll with the evil, reckless, criminal Mr Hyde. Many people indeed have several “sides” to their personalities, but this is a case of good and bad existing together with a villainous intensity.
Taking the concept of Jekyll and Hyde, Robin Shaw brings a gothic haunting in his single ‘Jekyll and Hyde’. Following his pop song ‘Yours Sincerely’, the new single not only showcases Shaw’s versatility moving from pop to hip-hop but also the intimacy of his poetic lyricism woven through a hard-hitting melody. Known for his relatable lyrics, Shaw uses personal narratives to resonate with listeners and in ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ he captures the discomfort of finding the “two-sided” personality in someone close to him.
“I wanted the theme of the song to be dark and have a theatrical feel to it. The song is inspired by an ex and a conversation I had with her. It was nearly ten years back. The conversation showed me another side this person had. I have used the idea and character of Jekyll and Hyde as the story is about the character having two personalities…” – Robin Shaw on ‘Jekyll and Hyde’
The lyricism is moving, particularly as its execution punctuates the eerie melody. Basic and simplistic using bold beats beneath Shaw’s raw vocals, you feel a slight fearfulness in the single’s intensity. It is like hearing a warning bell going off in your head saying “Oh, this is not good”; and then feeling your heart drop into your stomach as Shaw navigates the darkness within.
Find out more about Robin Shaw on his Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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