‘Lamb’ showcases Dutch artist Shortout Kid as someone more interested in pushing the physical language of rock music in unusual directions.
Central to this direction is his now notorious use of the “razor belt”, a custom-built instrument developed over almost 15 years and designed to combine the visual and sonic aggression of a chainsaw with the role of an electric guitar. It’s a striking concept, but the single is more effective when the instrument is treated as part of a wider approach than the sole point of interest.
The track brings together rock, electronic music and noise, with distorted textures and harsher tones balanced by a more melodic core. It’s a balance that’s most apparent in the chorus, where the arrangement opens into something broader and more choral. The contrast gives ‘Lamb’ a useful sense of shape, preventing the heavier elements from becoming overwhelming and allowing the song to retain a clear emotional centre.
The project’s reference points are deliberately wide-ranging, drawing comparisons with Depeche Mode, Nirvana, Thom Yorke, The Smashing Pumpkins and The Prodigy. Those influences help indicate the ground Shortout Kid is working across, although ‘Lamb’ avoids leaning too heavily on any one of them. This is a track that combines abrasive guitar-based textures with electronic production alongside a stronger emphasis on atmosphere.
As one of the first singles from an upcoming debut album, ‘Lamb’ highlights a project still interested in finding the point where experimentation and songwriting can meet. As its strongest moments come from the contrast between abrasive textures and a tone that remains unexpectedly melodic.