BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts.

James Acaster here, comedian and music fan, and in 2017, I had a breakdown.

I dealt with that breakdown, but by as much music from 2016 as I possibly could.

As a result, I now own over 700 albums that came out in

2016 and I'm convinced it's the greatest year for music of all time. But it's not enough me

being convinced, always want to convince each and every single one of you, plus a guest every

week. I'm going to send them an album in advance. They're going to come on the podcast.

We're going to talk about that album.

This week, my guest is a partner nancella,

and we're talking about the album, Mirror Breathing, by Shield Patterns.

Shield patterns are Manchester. Shield Patterns are a Manchester-based duo Consistent of Claire Brentnell and Richard Knox

This is one of the more electronic albums that we've covered on the podcast

Although it's quite cinematic, it's quite ethereal

There's loads of soundscapes all the way through.

You know, it's not electronica's in, you know, there's not a lot of beats going on all the way through this.

Drums play a very, very small part of this album.

It's all about atmosphere, I'd say.

And after all, it happens in this complex

I'm asking them

Shield patterns themselves describe their sound as an exploration in sound and songwriting

and they don't want to put it in any genre of pigeonholes.

It's experimental sounds that are married to striking, inventive melodies

...