Shapes

Released in 2021, Shapes is the third full-length studio outing from Robohands, the project led by London-based multi-instrumentalist Andy Baxter. Following the success of Green and Dusk, this album further refines the signature Robohands sound: a blend of 1970s soul-jazz, library music aesthetics, and modern downtempo sensibilities. Baxter notably performs many of the instruments himself, allowing for a singular vision where the drums are mixed with the prominence usually reserved for vocals. The recording emphasizes analog textures, utilizing tape saturation and vintage gear to create a 'dusty' sonic profile that contrasts with the clinical nature of much modern lo-fi jazz. Critically, the album was praised for its cohesive atmosphere and technical proficiency, solidifying Robohands as a leader in the UK's contemporary jazz-fusion scene. It stands as a bridge between the improvisational spirit of jazz and the loop-based satisfaction of beat culture.