Unstable Shapes

Minneapolis-based Unstable Shapes released their second single “The Local Sphinx” on Friday, February 16th, 2024. The song features a propulsive rhythm section (James Taylor on drums and Kevin Hurley on bass), melodic guitars (Mitch Gustafson and Ryan Jaroscak), and lyrics that search for meaning in a chaotic world — culminating in a barrage of sound while vocalist Andrew Cahak screams “I need to know!” — seeking answers that seem unlikely to appear. The song follows their previous single, “Glass Ladder,” which surfaced on streamers on Friday, February 2nd, 2024. Both songs will appear on the band’s forthcoming full-length debut, which they are currently recording with producer Knol Tate (Kill Sadie, Askeleton, Deleter, and many more).

ABOUT Unstable Shapes write noisy songs about disappointment and romance, post-punk paeans to self-discovery and self-deception. The band combines angular guitars over a foundation of muscular bass riffs and kinetic drumming, punctuated with thunderous shouts and screeching feedback. Although their sound is heavily influenced by bands from the 90s alternative and post-hardcore scenes, such as Unwound, Fugazi, Sonic Youth, Drive Like Jehu, Lungfish, and Les Savy Fav, the Minneapolis-based band has roots in a less likely genre — trip-hop. After attending a Massive Attack performance together in 2019, vocalist Andrew Cahak and guitarists Mitch Gustafson and Ryan Jaroscak were inspired to form a band. The trio enlisted Kevin Hurley (also of post-rock trio the Great Went) in early 2020 — but it wasn ’t long until COVID-19 forced the band into a lengthy hiatus. The four members kept in contact throughout their prolonged isolation, but they remained on pause and without a drummer until Cahak booked James Taylor (also of Laamar) as a podcast guest during the spring of 2021. The two hit it off immediately, and Taylor joined up on the drum kit shortly after. With the lineup solidified, Unstable Shapes resumed in earnest and began crafting material that is as furious as it is intimate. They first took the stage in February of 2023, and continued to play shows and write songs throughout the year. In early 2024, they released their debut singles “Glass Ladder ” and “The Local Sphinx.” The band is currently finishing work on their first full length with engineer/producer Knol Tate.