Musically, The Paradigm Shift describe themselves as an Alt rock outfit. From my initial hearing, this much is true. I also feel that their sound is very melodic.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: The Paradigm Shift
ALBUM: For You
LABEL: Lions Pride Music
SERIAL: LPM047
YEAR: 2023
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: India (Nagaland)
LINEUP: Chechamo Odyuo – vocals * Zajamo Kithan – kead guitars * Arepsen Aier – rhythm guitars * Razo Tenenu – bass * Bendang – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 From The Ashes * 02 For You * 03 Time Machine * 04 Second To None * 05 When She Calls Me Up * 06 Running In Circles * 07 Hit And Run * 08 Before The After Party
RATING: 85/100
WEBLINKS: FB Page
The Paradigm Shift Background
Not to be confused with other similarly named bands, The Paradigm Shift originate from northeast India. Nagaland to be exact. It was only last year we reviewed another Nagaland band called About Us. However, the difference between the two are like night and day.
The Paradigm Shift formed in 2019, and took their time building up their profile through the covid era. The band released ‘From The Ashes’ as their first video. They also managed some gig appearances and competitions in the process.
Musically, The Paradigm Shift describe themselves as an Alt rock outfit. From my initial hearing, this much is true. I also feel that their sound is very melodic leading some scribes to misidentify them as AOR, which clearly they’re not.
Their 8 track debut album ‘For You’ was released by Lions Pride Music on October 30th 2023, and it’s well worth a look at I reckon.
The Songs
The earliest song ‘From The Ashes’ leads things off. This song is full of jangly guitars and fluid vocals. Of note, are the mid-song time changes. I found them to be very unique but most welcome.
The title track ‘For You’ couldve been heard on US College Radio back in the 90’s, such is the similarity. That hypnotic guitar motif is a definite winner.
There are some oddball audio snippets introducing ‘Time Machine’. But those liquid guitar runs (surely using a Strymon guitar pedal) sees this song swimming in pools of melody.
‘Second To None’ continues the high level performance from The Paradigm Shift. Rolling drum work combines with reverb laden vocals. When the song takes off you can hear how their alt rock origins fuses with melodic elements.
‘When She Calls Me Up’ goes in a slightly funky direction. It doesn’t quite work for me though. ‘Running In Circles’ returns to that lush ambient soundscape heard earlier. Also, maybe somewhere in the TPS birthing process, U2 was introduced to these blokes?
‘Hit And Run’ is devoid of drums for the most part. There is a load of ambient guitar which sounds like they are played on a loop machine. The audio crackle at the end is a bit strange.
The Paradigm Shift finish up with another funky effort on ‘Before The After Party’. It’s a low brow affair doesn’t quite hit the high tide mark of some earlier songs.
In Summary
There are two bands which come to mind for me in terms of similarity. They are Nashville’s Los Colognes and Irish returnees Silent Running. Both releasing great albums in 2022. On those efforts, both leaned toward a sound that is replicated here.
Im certain that The Paradigm Shift will fly under the radar for most followers of melodic rock. I believe they are a worthy inclusion on GDM. And besides, I like to support the smaller labels like Lions Pride. Check them out, click the YTM Link underneath.
The Paradigm Shift on Video
From The Ashes
For You
Click to go to YTM album page.
