Shad returns with a bold new double-single: ‘K.I.S.S.’ and ‘Islands’. These tracks offer a glimpse into his upcoming seventh studio album Start Anew, due October 31.
Reflecting on this milestone Shad says: “With these songs and the new album, I wanted to embrace simplicity and also community — things that feel more important to me than ever after twenty years in this game. ‘K.I.S.S.’ is about having fun and moving forward, while ‘Islands’ is inspired by a concept/book a friend told me about called “Islands Of Sanity”, basically about building hopeful futures in times of upheaval and disintegration.”
‘K.I.S.S.’ delivers a playful, upbeat vibe with the mantra “Keep it simple stupid / This is music / Give your two cents / Then keep it moving.” The track is produced by Dom Dias, who has crafted beats for Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Cartel Madras, and Just John, as well as ‘Body (No Reason)’ on Shad’s previous album TAO.
On the introspective ‘Islands’, Shad explores the concept of ‘Islands of Sanity,’ meaning communities that model alternative ways of living through crisis. The production is handled by Windsor’s Datsunn, a multi-talented producer, drummer, and singer with strong ties to the jazz scene and recent tours with Carrtoons and Keifer.
Both songs highlight the balance of optimism and social consciousness that defines Start Anew. The album features collaborations with Toronto’s Jon Kabongo, Raz Fresco, Phoenix Pagliacci, Queens underground stalwart Homeboy Sandman, Atlanta’s Chantae Cann, and more.
At the heart of Start Anew lies the deeply human challenge of letting go of the past to embrace fresh beginnings. Shad explains “I decided against calling the album Fear of Death a phrase that appears throughout the record because it wasn’t very approachable. But Start Anew captures the same idea the difficulty we have embracing endings even though that’s often the only way to arrive at something new.” He adds “The new start that positive fresh new life is right there but it is often on the other side of risk or even loss.”
Musically, Shad took a more straightforward approach on this album drawing on playful soulfulness reminiscent of his early work while incorporating experimental sounds sampled from his own unreleased archives ranging from house to psychedelic pop. This melding of vintage vibes and studio experimentation creates a sound that is both familiar and refreshingly accessible. As Shad puts it “I wanted to make something kind of simple and easy on the ears and very listenable.”
Lyrically, Start Anew balances incisive social commentary with optimism and personal reflection. Tracks like ‘Slanted’ address systemic inequality with sobering candor, “The land is slick and slippery and slanted Few fully notice how a few takes advantage”, while the album’s centrepiece the two part ‘Look’ encourages listeners to celebrate small victories and chart their own path forward.
This year marks 20 years of Shad in music a milestone celebrating two decades of artistic growth impact and innovation. Known for his sharp wit socially conscious lyricism and versatile sound Shad (Shadrach Kabango) continues to redefine himself with Start Anew, a project about embracing change challenging comfort zones and seeking renewal amidst uncertainty. This album follows a trilogy of socially conscious works including 2018’s A Short Story About a War and 2021’s TAO furthering Shad’s commitment to thoughtful storytelling and musical exploration.
Stream / download ‘K.I.S.S.’ and ‘Islands’ here.
Pre-order / pre-save Start Anew here.
