Roy Shiels

The Teenage Storm

Angela Macari O’Looney

Multi musician Roy Shiels has taken the singer/songwriter label to a whole new level. From Dublin, he is extremely creative and uses his experience from playing guitar/ Bass in cover bands and blends this with a penchant for keyboards, rhythm and sound production.

Along with appealing vocal ability, memorable melody lines and emotion-charged lyrics, Roy composed and arranged the lovely collection of songs on this debut E.P. This is the beginning of what should prove an incredible journey!

Unique and quite laid back, each number involves imaginative riffs and enjoyable guitar solos. Choruses are simple enough, but his style is original. And having your own sound is a must in an ever growing, competitive singer/songwriter scene!

Vessel

The first track has a catchy riff intro, harmonic ahs, with the tempo fast and cheerful. Roy’s vocals are crisp and clear, as he sings the lyrics which have a sense of regret from a broken relationship; But nothing made me shiver more than losing you. Than losing out to everything I’d loved.
Surprisingly, the mood of the song is quite upbeat. A lead guitar solo followed by a slowdown for the sung middle eight, captures the listener and then things stop.
Soon the beat picks up again for the last verse. I like these chops and changes. Drums, bass and each facet of Roy’s creation, come together beautifully here.

To Feel it

Powerful, fast and rhythmic, this number begins with a catchy guitar riff. Twin guitars add drama with pulsating notes throughout. This is a rock song where drums are vibrant, as is the baseline. A delicious echoic guitar solo in the middle breaks things up a little. Both lyrics and melody line are magical. Roy’s delivery is masterful and like a work of art, this song is one you just have to hear again and again, with each listen a new experience!

State of mind

Seductive melody, a thumping beat, this is probably my favourite track on the E.P. The lyrics are a little bit cryptic, but there’s a sense of strength in the sentiment ;And in the morning when I drown, I feel like crying but I hold my ground. Strength in numbers, the weak ones tear, held by the hands of a hundred stares.
Before the sung middle eight, there’s a sweet build up with a catchy do do do thing going on.
The lead solo is the piece de resistance and also the wonderful close harmony in the chorus. Definitely a song I’d want to play my air guitar to!

The Girl

A trickling intro takes you into the haunting verse here. Distortion-packed guitars create a dynamic rock rhythm for the chorus, lifting the mood of this entire track. It involves beautifully descriptive lyrics and I particularly enjoy the change from soft love song, to vibrant rock number. Harmony lends depth, as Roy performs the moody vocals with conviction.
In this as in each arrangement, there’s a lot of attention to detail including some sensational chords and riffs, making it an unforgettable piece.

It’s Love

Anthemic style intro, with big chords and Roy belting out the first verse, this last track on Teenage storm is short, but sweet.
The lyrics seem to be contradictive in the second verse; Lost but still awake, sad still having fun/ Tired but still awake, loose but not undone.
There’s a complexity about each song and this is no exception. The arrival at the simple chorus It’s love, oh it’s love is almost soothing.
Melody line is lovely; Harmony in the verse and the short guitar break that takes you to the finish perfectly placed.

Roy’s work is easy to listen to, with memorable melody lines and unexpected changes here and there. His courage to explore all his potential and push it to the limits is evident. This has paid off for him, with a successful stint on the London circuit, extensive gigging around Ireland and airplay on top radio stations.
I find his lyrics a little too deep at times, but despite this, he has accomplished his own sound and if this is a sample of his songwriting and musical genius, I’ll be looking forward to hearing more.