A downright infectious sound presents itself on Shell Pink‘s new track “Weird Fish,” quickly swelling from dreamy synths into a bass-forward pulse and an “I’ll swim for you” adoring vocal proclamation. The project of Los Angeles-based musician, producer, and songwriter Josh Rheault, Shell Pink shows a knack for savvy songwriting here — pairing hook-ready immediacy, finding a middle ground between charismatic rock and textured alt-pop, with an emotive thematic hold.
“Weird Fish is about fighting to stay afloat when love feels like it’s slipping beneath the surface,” Rheault says. “It explores devotion through turbulence — the willingness to swim, sink, or resurface for someone even when you’ve lost sight of yourself. It’s a tender promise wrapped in melancholy, hope, and the strange beauty of surrender.”
“Don’t give up on me baby, I know I haven’t been myself lately,” Rheault sings during the track’s fantastic hook; his vocal tone reminds fondly of Interpol’s post-punk ferocity, while the stylish sound itself dazzles in its multitude of both rock-forward invigoration and synth-y atmospherics. A poetic firmness shows in the concluding line: “But if I drown out here, I hope I disappear and make a nice big meal for some weird fish or killer whale.” The comparison of a relationship to a fish fighting to stay afloat plays impactfully throughout, set within a wonderfully melodic production.
The track comes via Shell Pink’s new EP, Rogue Waves, streaming below:
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
The track is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Emerging Indie Rock.
