origin story of robin kester‘s new single “Shape Memory” is a story of psychology and physics. More specifically, it describes how Kester’s coping with her ADHD is temporarily alleviated by medication, but how her mind snaps back when exposed to intense heat. This is keenly expressed in the track’s rich dream-pop style. The pace slows, as Kester declares in his Gibbons-like voice that the ghostly Beth is dead. “Something is alive/And it wants to stay.”.
“I stripped the song down to just the bass line and it evoked something.” comments Kester. “Eventually, this led to a whole new song. I wrote ‘Shape Memory’ because I was worried about the side effects of my ADHD medication, and when certain types of metal are heated, they change back to their original shape.” That’s when I read about the shape memory effect, which is a mechanism that allows you to return to your body. Like Nitinol paper clips, they can be straightened, but they will return to their original shape when heated. I felt connected to that paperclip. The medication caused it to bend from its original shape, but if I don’t take the medication it will quickly return to its original shape. ”
This year, Kester is recording a sequel to his debut LP. honeycomb shades Playing with Ali Chant (Aldous Harding, PJ Harvey) in Bristol – I think we’ll hear more about that particular project soon.
In the meantime, stream “Shape Memory” and check out Ashley Brennan’s lyric visualizer below.
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