Shad & TLO – Islands
Shad builds hope from wreckage on “Islands,” a thoughtful preview of his upcoming album Start Anew. The Canadian rapper draws inspiration from the concept of “Islands of Sanity”, communities that model alternative ways of living through crisis. His lyrics plant seeds in the rubble, turning “pain into purpose” while acknowledging that “you can’t do all things.”
The production comes from Windsor’s Datsunn, a jazz-connected multi-instrumentalist who’s toured with CARRTOONS and Keifer, alongside Brooklyn-based Dotan Bergman (Tane). Together, they craft a backdrop that balances Shad’s introspective verses with TLO’s contributions to the hook. The beat supports Shad’s message about focusing on “what you’re holding” rather than trying to control everything.
After twenty years in music, Shad wanted to embrace simplicity and community on this new material. “Islands” delivers both, addressing housing inequality, educational neglect, and media distortion without preaching. His approach stays conversational even when tackling heavy topics, asking pointed questions about imported fruit economics and moral responsibility.
Start Anew drops October 31 through Secret City Records, concluding a trilogy that includes A Short Story About a War and TAO.
Tracklist:
- Intro
- Slanted
- Happiness feat. Chantae Cann
- Rain
- K.I.S.S. feat. Jon Kabongo
- Islands feat. TLO
- Bars and BBQs
- Discem
- Look Pt 1 feat. Raz Fresco
- Look Pt 2 feat. pHoenix Pagliacci
- Don’t
- Sacrifice
- Fear of Death
