In January of 2018, five months after the release of her debut album "Night Night at the First Landing," Madeline Kenney traveled from Oakland, California to the woods outside of Durham, North Carolina to record her sophomore album with a new collaborator, Wye Oak’s Jenn Wasner. The choice was a conscious decision to explore new methodology in writing, recording, production and even genre. "Perfect Shapes" sees Kenney leaping headfirst into fresh and adventurous territory, largely eschewing conventional rock structures in favor of theme and melody. Its ten songs are full of surprises big and small - from vibrant synth lines to taut bass figures and subtly modulated vocals - that instead of feeling fussed over, reveal Kenney’s penchant for elegant and abstract composition.
Kenney’s 2017 debut, "Night Night at the First Landing," was a guitar-centric rock album, produced by friend and collaborator Chaz Bear of Toro Y Moi. "Perfect Shapes" leans on the foundational pieces of "Night Night" - fuzzed-out guitar tones, coy wordplay and Kenney’s notably strong voice - but with an unconventional approach that allows them to bloom, reincarnated. (Madeline Kenney Bandcamp)