Coloured Paper Shapes Crafted A Soundtrack For Extrospective Introverts With New Single, Playtime

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, Coloured Paper Shapes’ new single “Playtime” blends sunny indie pop with Motown energy, capturing the fleeting joy of carefree nights for extrospective introverts.

Coloured Paper Shapes

Coloured Paper Shapes, the genre-blending project of South London artist-producer Richard James Jakubowski, merges jangly guitars, vivid storytelling, and subtle experimental flourishes to create a sound that sits comfortably between indie pop and alternative rock. His music, honest and emotionally expansive, resonates with those who navigate the space between introspection and liberation—what Jakubowski describes as the realm of extrospective introverts.

Drawing inspiration from David Bowie’s fearless creativity and the quirky stylings of bands like Metronomy and Japanese Breakfast, his songs explore the quiet thoughts that linger behind lively nights out, delving into themes of identity, routine, and human connection.

Jakubowski’s latest work is part of a larger conceptual project called Flamingos, a narrative-driven album that unfolds like the soundtrack to an imagined film or musical. Set in the atmosphere of an all-night dive bar—a place inspired by a real haunt once frequented by Jakubowski and his friends—the album follows a group of 30-something co-workers trapped in the repetitive cycle of after-work drinks, hazy weekends, and existential drift. The story centers on one character’s gradual awakening to the stagnation of their routine, offering a poignant reflection on life’s fleeting moments.

Playtime

The new single “Playtime” initially emerged outside the Flamingos narrative, sparked by a scene from Sean Baker’s The Florida Project depicting children joyfully running through a motel parking lot. This image of carefree innocence amidst challenging circumstances inspired Jakubowski to capture the feeling of letting go, a universal moment where certain people or places unlock a sense of play, whether in childhood or adulthood.

With its bright chords and Motown-infused energy, “Playtime” radiates warmth and wistfulness, evoking the fleeting thrill of a night just beginning, when possibilities feel endless. Upon completion, Jakubowski realized the track seamlessly fit into Flamingos, embodying the wild abandon of a night where responsibilities fade and play takes over.

Jakubowski’s songwriting process is rooted in vivid imagery, often starting with a specific place, line, or emotional core. From there, he builds arrangements that mirror the emotional ebbs and flows of the scenes he envisions. The result is music that feels cinematic yet relatable, poetic yet approachable, filled with subtle revelations that speak to anyone who’s ever felt adrift in a fast-moving world. With Flamingos and “Playtime,” Coloured Paper Shapes offers a soundtrack for those seeking meaning in the blur of everyday life, inviting listeners to find freedom in moments of connection and release.

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