A DIY Track By Production Genius Ricky Piper: The Lovedogs – ‘Shut Me Up!’ Review

Words: Isobel Waugh

Inspired by the cost of living crisis, The Lovedog’s Ricky Piper wrote and recorded ‘Shut Me Up!’ in 3 days, a song about searching for the positive in a sea of mundane.

The track itself features dynamic drumming, inspired by The Anxiety’s hit ‘Hey You!’, and is perfectly complemented by Ricky’s vocals. The vibe is reminiscent of 70s and 80s sound whilst Ricky’s impressive production skills create something new and exciting. Much like the track’s frenzied pace, the lyrics are a frantic search for optimism in an, all too relatable, financial struggle. Despite exploring heavy themes, Ricky contrasts this with a catchy fast-paced tune making for an enjoyable and interesting listening experience. 

In Ricky’s own words, ‘Shut Me Up!’ is “a song that was written quickly and then evolved into something unforeseen throughout the recording process”. In fact, the track was written in 3 days in Ricky’s home studio, charmingly nicknamed Shabby Road Studio, and despite being created completely independently, Ricky’s passion exudes through every beat. 

Although The Lovedogs are yet to perform live, with energised and addictive tracks like ‘Shut Me Up!’, it is only a matter of time until they receive the attention they deserve.