Album Review: "Irrational" - Shane Rennison

Photo Credits: Mike Bloom

Indie Pop/Rock Singer-Songwriter from Upstate New York, Shane Rennison has just released his highly anticipated debut album, "Irrational". Consisting of 11 tracks, "Irrational" was made possible over the past 2 years with composer, producer and audio engineer, Julian Giaimo whom Shane has also collaborated on projects including his "Nice To Meet You" EP and his "Live at the Outlier Inn" Session.

TRACKLIST

All The Scars

Draggin'

What You Need To Know

I Think It's You

Irrational

Too Beautiful

Losin' You

Hey Hey Hey

Somewhere In Albany

Long Road

Where I'm At...

Reigning from the mountains of Catskill, New York, Shane Rennison is a full time performing musician, songwriter and recording artist. He spends most of his time playing at local venues, and can cover songs by over 150 bands spanning across various genres. His sound has been compared to the likes of Vampire Weekend, Passion Pit, and Harry Styles. He officially released his first original single in 2022, titled "You Don't Wanna Hear It". A few more singles and an EP later, we're here in 2024 with Shane's debut album, "Irrational". This album is meant to be listened to as a whole, each track purposely transitioning into each other like they're part of the same story. Let's dive in to what "Irrational" has in store.

All The Scars

Opening up the album, we have "All The Scars" which was released as the fourth and final single in anticipation for the album release. Giving off 60's vibes, "All The Scars" features old-fashioned keys, raw drums and a dreamy / hazy production. The song is about having trouble letting go of things have hurt you in the past. Even though you try to move on, those insecurities and negative voices are still echoing in the back of your head. Shane sings, "It's hard to ignore all the scars". Drawing from personal experiences, Shane wrote "All The Scars" when he had moved to NYC, and being around new people had brought up old wounds from the past. Little did he know then, that he'd write a song that would be relatable for so many people out there.

Draggin'

Track two is "Draggin'", a dark, groovy, pop rock bop. The soundscape is kind of haunting, yet satisfying when you hear that distorted lead guitar take over. It also has a bit of an island influenced beat to it that gets you moving. Shane has a smooth vocal here that really fit well with the minor key and the gritty tone of the instrumentation.

"Draggin'" seems to be about that type of woman who pretends to be innocent and nice, but really she's just pretending to be interested in you for the night - and then you'll probably never hear from her again (unless you've proven to have money). Yeah, that type of woman.

What You Need To Know

Earlier this year, "What You Need To Know" was released as the leading single in anticipation for Shane's album release and it has become a fan favorite. Bouncing off of the meaning of "Draggin'", "What You Need To Know" is about someone who needs somebody to put them in their place. This person is self-absorbed, and they think they can just skate through life because they're "attractive". Well guess what, Shane's got some hard truth for people like this. "Looks will fade and then who will be there for you? This song is about telling someone what they need to know, even when it’s hard for them to hear, with the intention of trying to help them grow emotionally." - Shane Rennison. With eerie piano, a tropical feel, and twangy guitar, this song in particular gives me a mix of Jason Mraz and MAGIC! vibes.

I Think It's You

Next, we have "I Think It's You", the third single to come out before the album. This song is about that moment in a struggling romantic relationship when you realize you're not the problem, and it never was; it's been them all along. Sometimes we get so caught up in wanting things to work, especially in a long-term relationship, that we blame ourselves for the issues - but unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way. Once you take those rose tinted glasses off, it's easier to not only learn to love yourself again, but to move on. "I Think It's You" has a somber, yet still hopeful and soulful mood of what it's like to finally let go of a toxic, manipulative relationship. With gorgeous moments of strings and haunting piano, this is a great song for anybody out there who has been through something like this.

Irrational

Perfectly nestled at track number 5, we have the title track, "Irrational". This was released as the second single earlier this year, and again seems to bounce off the themes of other songs on the album. "Irrational" is about someone who causes problems in a relationship, and them amplifies those problems beyond fixing - basically, acting irrationally, or unreasonable. No matter what you do or how hard you try, they won't let you repair what's been broken. And just like that, with one swift blow, the relationship you worked so hard for is suddenly gone. Even though the meaning seems pretty tragic, this song is actually a groovy bop that is perfect for the Summertime. Another fan favorite, this song is radio worthy and I suggest blasting it with the windows down on a sunny day while you drive around with your friends.

Too Beautiful

When I listened to "Too Beautiful" for the first time, I audibly said out loud "woah, this song is badass". That is probably the best way I could describe it, but I will choose to say more. Shane is calling out this woman on her shit; calling her too beautiful in the catchiest hook possible, but tearing her a new one in the verses by spitting bars like it's nobody's business. Basically, he's saying looks don't matter when you're a terrible person. As if these lyrics didn't make the track stand out enough, the song also features horns, bright piano and popping bass that helps bring everything together for an ultimate, classy, banger of a diss track.

Losin' You

Sonically standing out from the crowd, we have "Losin' You" which takes more of Western, Country / Folk approach within it's soundscape. With heavy emphasis on acoustic guitar, twangy bass and gentle synths, this song has an old-southern feel that really brings a chill to your bones. What I got out of the lyrics of this song, was just being with the wrong person. For a while, you were in denial about it, but it's finally clear now that things were never meant to be. This is a stand out track to me because of it's Western themes and is another song I feel belongs in a movie.

Hey Hey Hey

"Hey Hey Hey" is a short and sweet, but vibey song. Heavy on the synths, it has a soulful and classic RnB type of influence to it's soundscape and groove. It features a deep bass, and an ear-worm guitar riff that repeats throughout the song. It almost feels lie a song that belongs in a secret agent, detective or classic mobster movie. It's dark and eerie, yet sensual. It starts with the story of when you meet someone, you think things are going well. You have a spark, feelings are arising.... and then in the second half, a switch flips. All those good feelings have now turned to uncertainty and pain.

Somewhere In Albany

"Somewhere In Albany" seems to be about knowing that you're not in the right place - physically, emotionally, and within your life. You don't know where you're going; all you know is that you can't stay here. The song starts with banjo, and you feel like it's about to be a laid back mountain folk song - but you just wait. Shane comes in with layered, emotionally distorted and synthesized vocals. Then come in drums, and those 60's RnB keys that we heard in track one, "All The Scars", but they're echoing in a cathartic rhythm throughout this song on just one note. Then we can hear bass, strings, and then piano comes in... it's a symphony of a unique blend of sounds that you would never guess would fit together; but they do, so perfectly.

Long Road

"Long Road" is when you're left stuck with no idea what to do next after a long, painful relationship is finally over. Shane describes literally feeling like he's standing at the end of a long empty road, with no idea where to go. This song also has a unique mixture of sounds. It made me feel like I was at the club, at a rave, and at a rock concert all at the same time. The groovy guitar and popping bass, mixed with the pulsing synths and high energy tempo call for an experience that will blow your mind. Not the mention the super cool xylophone moment as the song starts to come to a close. Shane's voice and the fast-paced melody once again reminded me of Jason Mraz in this one, and the overall vibe made me think of "Somebody That I Used To Know" by Gotye as well.

Where I'm At...

Closing out the album, we have the song "Where I'm At..." which I see as a message from Shane to everyone out there about where he stands now within this story we've just experienced. He sings, "'Cause I could lie to you if I had to, but really what's the point in that / Life's too short and all I know is this is where I'm at // Oh, I do not remember who I once was". The way I'm interpreting this, is that things are still raw and they still hurt, but he's working his way through them because he knows that life is too short to be wasting it away on being sad and lonely. "Where I'm At" features gorgeous piano and ethereal background synths, and is the perfect, most beautiful and honest track to end this album and this chapter of Shane's life.

Listening to the "Irrational" album feelings like reading a novel, and each track is a chapter in the book. Each song flows together perfectly, and connects to create this cohesive story. You don't realize it when you first start listening, but you start connecting all the puzzle pieces together after several tracks. I think Shane Rennison is an incredible storyteller and puts raw, honest emotion into everything he does. Coming together with Julian Giaimo to bring these stories to life was brilliant - they have a creative chemistry that is so clear in this album. Every song stands out in it's own unique way - not one sounds like any other, but yet they still connect to each other perfectly within their lyrics and stories. I think they really outdid themselves on this one and it deserves way more attention than what it is getting! Make sure to follow Shane below, and stream "Irrational" now on all streaming platforms!

Written By Kaitlyn Nicole

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