Shelter (Finneas song)

"Shelter" is a song by American singer-songwriter Finneas from his debut EP, Blood Harmony (2019). The song was released by OYOY as the third single from the EP on August 22, 2019. Finneas had heard that Avicii was looking for songs to produce. Afterwards, he wrote the song and sent it to Avicii's team. Lyrically, the song is about a lover that brings Finneas peace, but also trouble.

"Shelter"
Single by Finneas
from the EP Blood Harmony
ReleasedAugust 22, 2019
Recorded2016
GenrePop
Length3:07
LabelOYOY
Songwriter(s)Finneas O'Connell
Producer(s)Finneas
Finneas singles chronology
"Angel"
(2019)		 "Shelter"
(2019)		 "I Don’t Miss You at All"
(2019)
Music video
"Shelter" on YouTube

The song received mainly positive reviews from music critics, several of whom praised the music and lyrical content. A music video for "Shelter" was uploaded to Finneas' YouTube channel on September 30, 2019, and was directed by Sam Bennett. In it, Finneas stumbles as backup dancers shove and toss him roughly. Finneas toured the United States throughout October 2019 to support Blood Harmony, with the tour including performances of the song.

Background and composition

"Shelter" was first written back in 2016 by Finneas.[1][2] He had heard that Swedish musician Avicii was looking for songs to produce. Following on from this, Finneas wrote the track and sent it to Avicii's team.[2][3][4][5] Finneas has confessed that he doesn't know if Avicii ever heard it.[2] "Shelter" was released as the third single from Finneas' debut EP Blood Harmony for digital download and streaming, through his record label OYOY on August 22, 2019.[3] The track was written and produced by Finneas.[3]

Critical commentary described "Shelter" as a pop-based track.[3][6] The track features a tropical beat, electric guitar, Latin-based guitars, drum beats, gospel choir effect[s] that appear during the chorus, reverb'd handclaps, bluesy vocal embellishment, and rapid phrasing in the bridge.[3][7][8] Tosten Burks, writing for Spin magazine, noted the track sounds like an Ed Sheeran song.[7] He further commented that the track is built around some "urgent acoustic guitar strumming" and a "plucky melody" which is very similar to the marimba line in Sheeran's number one hit "Shape of You" (2017), and is set in a dance tempo.[7] Lyrically, the track is about a lover that brings Finneas peace but has an undercurrent of trouble. He represents the trouble with the lyrics, "They call us lucky/But I think we might be cursed/'Cause the way you love me/I could drink the river dry, still die of thirst".[9] The mood of the track becomes more urgent as it continues: "Give me, give me shelter/From the storm/Give me, give me shelter/ Keep me warm/I don't wanna think about a life without you/I don't wanna go to war but I'm about to".[9]

Critical reception

"Shelter" was met with mainly positive reviews from music critics. Writing for Substream Magazine, Valerie Magan described the track as "vulnerable", "heartbreak-tinged" and "easygoing".[4] Ben Kay of Consequence of Sound noted that "Shelter" was "considerably brighter than the material [Finneas] produces for his sister Billie Eilish".[3] Madeline Roth of MTV labeled the track as a "galvanic, acoustic guitar-driven number".[9] Will Richards of NME called the song "vibrant" and "huffling", while mentioning that its "production saves its average lyrics".[6] Nicole Almeida of Atwood Magazine stated that the song it "prolongs the theme of love, and is a high energy, radio-ready take on seeing someone as your safe haven", and he called the production on the song a "remarkable offering a fresh take on a pop anthem about being way too deep in love".[10] Writing for the American Songwriter, Paul Zollow labeled the track as "buoyant" and "uptempo".[11] Tanis Smither of Earmilk mentioned the song has an "infectious energy".[8]

Promotion

A music video for "Shelter" was directed by Sam Bennett and was uploaded to Finneas' YouTube channel on September 30, 2019.[12] The video was directed by Sam Bennett and choreographed by Monika Felice Smith, while it was shot in one take.[13] The visual begins with Finneas frantically walking along the Los Angeles river as groups of dancers try to interrupt his journey. "They call us lucky / But I think we might be cursed / 'Cause the way you love me / I could drink the river dry, still die of thirst." Finneas cries as the dancers try to tug and toss him roughly around the empty riverbed, as well as mobbing him.[14] Roth compared the visual to the 1978 film '"Grease, while praising the choreography, which she described as "elaborate" and "impressive".[13]

Finneas toured throughout the United States during October 2019, in support of Blood Harmony.[5] "Shelter" was one of the tracks from the EP that he performed live during the tour.[5] In October 2019, Finneas performed "Shelter" at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, being backed up by a live band.[15]

References
  1. Earls, John (August 23, 2019). "Listen to the catchy debut EP by Billie Eilish's brother, Finneas". NME. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  2. Rowley, Glenn (October 4, 2019). "Finneas Breaks Down His Striking Debut EP 'Blood Harmony': Exclusive". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 4, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  3. Kaye, Ben (August 22, 2019). "Finneas announces debut EP, Blood Harmony, shares 'Shelter': Stream". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on May 11, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  4. Magan, Valerie (August 22, 2019). "Finneas releases 'Shelter,' announces debut EP 'Blood Harmony'". Substream Magazine. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  5. Shaffer, Claire (August 22, 2019). "Finneas Previews Debut EP 'Blood Harmony' With New Song 'Shelter'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 14, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  6. Richards, Will (October 2, 2019). "Finneas – 'Blood Harmony' EP review: the Billie Eilish producer strikes out alone". NME. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  7. Burks, Tosten (August 22, 2019). "Here's What Billie Eilish's Brother's Music Sounds Like". Spin. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  8. Smither, Tanis (September 20, 2019). "Finneas announces debut EP with electric new single 'Shelter'". Earmilk. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  9. Roth, Madeline (August 22, 2019). "Finneas Rides A 'Feverish' Wave of Love on New Song 'Shelter'". MTV. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  10. Almeida, Nicole (October 4, 2019). "Review: Blood Harmony is Finneas' Immaculate First Step Into His Cinematic, Beautiful World". Atwood Magazine. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  11. Zollo, Paul (March 19, 2020). "Finneas Keeps Stepping Out On His Own". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on September 12, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  12. Rowley, Glenn (September 30, 2019). "Finneas Unveils 'Shelter' Video After Making 'Saturday Night Live' Debut With Sis Billie Eilish: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  13. Roth, Madeline (September 30, 2019). "Finneas Follows Up SNL With His Trippy, One Take 'Shelter' Video". MTV. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  14. Nattress, Katrina (September 30, 2019). "Finneas Gives Us An Exclusive Behind The Scenes Look At His 'Shelter' Video". iHeartRadio. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  15. Jones, Isa (October 6, 2019). "Acl Live Review: Finneas". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
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