The multi-talented musician - aka Alan Keary - has drawn on his Irish heritage to create a nine-track record full of wonder and magic. Playful and ethereal, I Have Aspiration For Dragonflies showcases Shunya’s ability to slip seamlessly between styles and genres, balancing on the line between recklessness and precision.
The record - a collection of Shunya’s most personal songs to date - touches on themes including the discovery of mortality as an infant, daydreaming and the apocalypse, all packaged with a heavy dose of mysticism. The 31 year old musician, originally from Limerick, said: “I’ve always written lyrics from hypothetical perspectives. These songs however are more personal - like a singer songwriter embedded in electronic soundworlds.”
I Have Aspiration For Dragonflies opens with the song TattDah - a futuristic take on traditional Irish slip jig rhythms provided by plucked stringed instruments intertwined with plinky synths.
Doop Boogie, meanwhile, is a joyfully upbeat song about the importance of practising daily childlike creativity, its climax flirting with Shunya’s deep love for jungle music - the fiery drumming of Matthew Halsall drummer Alan Taylor set against an almost Disney-like chorus, showcasing Keary’s playful side. Highlights on the record also include Out In The Cold, which is underpinned by drum machine grooves coupled with warm chordal bass riffs inspired by Chicago post-rock band Tortoise.
Album closer Goodbye Spring, meanwhile, is an emotional exploration on climate anxiety and an epic love ballad about Earth - with additional vocals provided beautifully by Bosnian singer songwriter Sanja Cin.
1. Tattdah
2. Doop Boogie
3. Folding Moons
4. The Clay & The Sculpture
5. Potions & Worms
6. Scripsss
7. Out In The Cold
8. Outro
9. Goodbye Spring feat. Sanja Cin
