Photo by Jonas Bang
Iceage’s “Shelter Song” is shockingly tender, embodying a hugely 90s sound with mellow, chest-driven vocals — a stark contrast to the post-punk, experimental, psychedelic sound of the other two singles they released.
“Shelter Song” eases listeners in with echoey, calm riffs accompanied by gentle drums and vocals. The song gradually builds with layered vocals, louder drums, full-bodied guitar sounds tossing from ear to ear and wrapping me in 90s sweetness. This song is warmth amongst their chilling discography; it’s like the underlying pain of Dinosaur Jr. ‘s vocals combined with the feel-good Britpop instrumentals of Oasis transformed into something entirely its own.
The video for “Shelter Song” is a glimpse into Iceage’s life in Copenhagen, showing different people they encounter in the city, dimly-lit streets and alleyways, friendships unfolding, and everything that feels good and nostalgic and pure. This song and video alike shed light coming out of 2020 into 2021 — we have to “…keep turning around // Keep turning till it all spins off somehow.”
Iceage continues to push the boundaries of the alternative music scene, constantly innovating their sound by taking the best parts of varying genres and mis-moshing them into a refreshingly new sound.
