It's hard to believe that it's been 5 years since the arrival of London-based multi-instrumentalist collective Landshapes' incredible sophomore album Heyoon. Returning today with their charmingly experimental new offering 'The Ring', Landshapes' thirst for new sonic ground shines through now more than ever. Employing perfectly balanced layers of warbling analogue synthesizers, metronomic drum machines, and sharp, percussive guitar strikes, that cut concisely through the mix, the intentionally repetitive vocals provide a stable surface to cling to as they presumably allude to permanency of marriage and the feelings that come with that. Featuring the left-field mix techniques of esteemed producer and Warp signee Kwes, 'The Ring' is the first taste of the band's third album Contact (due out via brilliant Bella Union on the 20th of November) and if it's anything to go by, it's 'shaping' up to be an excellent one (couldn't resist). Listen here now. -Holly Mullineaux