Mike and Mandy’s supple and light collection of modern and classical folk pop music, ‘Shelter in Place’ tells the story of a collective shared experience through lockdowns in the pandemic. With each of the compositions being brought to initial life during COVID, each piece on this record offers a slightly unique and almost disconnected approach from the other. It’s a true ensemble of a record, opting to go for a diverse array of sounds and stylistic approaches rather than sticking to a singular approach or method. Starting with the quiet and supple ‘Are You Now’, Mike and Mandy begin the record with a disconcerting and relaxing folk inspired ballad that rests in its own suppleness.
It’s in their more popular song, the successful ‘Wormhole’, that the duo really strut their stuff. Wormhole is decidedly minimal, starting with nothing but a beautifully serene and touching vocal performance alongside a very simple percussive backdrop. Slowly, the arrangement starts to get more fleshed out, with a subtle flourish of electronic sonic elements starting to grow with more pointed progression to steal the show. You’re left in a state of catatonic bliss, completely surrendering to the wormhole that warps you into a dimension of pure relaxation. ‘Tesseract’ on the other hand is far more accelerated, a much more upbeat and up tempo flurry of a track. The vocal harmonies give it a rather opulent and dramatic texture while the pulsating electro beat drives it forward with a powerful focus.
A rather strange interplay of styles that’s anchored through incredibly evocative and offbeat vocals and production elements, ‘Are You Now’ is a refreshing record to escape into.