This Town
Sometimes we feel a bit lost and yearn to find our identity. We might find it in a memory, in something we love, or in a place we find inspiring. Often, though, this kind of soul searching is tied to the space that surrounds us. “This Town” recalls exactly this feeling. The place you live can be confusing. It is familiar, yet it can slowly start to feel oppressive. You are devoted to it, but at the same time, you want to experience something else. That tension sits at the heart of the song. As Shanakee sing, “Look at this town, it looks so high and puts you down”, they point towards a desire for change that feels necessary, even when it clashes with personal history. It is not a rejection of the past, but an acknowledgement that memories alone are not always enough to keep us rooted. Shanakee are a duo formed only a few months ago, brought together by a shared passion for British and American indie rock, the same cultural space that frames their debut single. Even their name, which means “storyteller” in Gaelic, feels well matched to their evocative approach. There is a sense of quiet narration in the way they work, more interested in capturing a mood than making grand statements. With their first release, Shanakee tap into a specific state of mind that many people recognise. It is the struggle to find balance between a town that feels too tight and the personal moments it still holds. Through hazy guitars and blurred vocals, the track unfolds like an internal conversation, an honest confession aimed at clarifying what we need to do next, even if the answer is not yet clear.