Husband and wife Carl and Kat Mann are Wiltshire based duo Shapes Like People. Carl is originally from Kent, U.K., and Kat from Wellington, New Zealand. Carl Mann is the lead vocalist and guitarist of The Shop Window and co-wrote Kylie Minogue’s Ocean Blue. His intention at first was to record demos to pitch to Kylie, but as the project developed, he loved the sound of his wife Kat’s guide vocal on the demos. So much so that they decided to turn the project into Shapes Like People. Their first album, Ticking Haze was released in 2025 and praised as a lush mix of jangle-pop and Americana, with a shoegaze twist. Firmly committed to continuing to make music together, Carl’s masterful guitar driven melodies and Kat’s layered vocals are the driving force behind their new twelve track album Under The Rainbow released in April 2026 on Jangleshop/Subjangle.

What They Say: ““By the time Ticking Haze was released I’d already written three new songs (Lately, First Version of You and Crushing Silence) that were possibly going to be for a solo project. However, the response to our debut album was so encouraging that we decided to get straight on with another Shapes Like People record. We re-jigged those first few songs and carried on from there. This track came about over a Friday night pint. Kat is working on VFX for the upcoming ‘Supergirl’ movie, and as a bit of a joke I suggested covering Superman… with a twist! The following morning the idea was taking shape as I started to put some guitar parts together. Tracking down the right people for clearance took some investigation.” (Carl)
“The video is hilarious. That doll is the best £5 eBay purchase we’ve made in years!” (Kat)

“The lovely thing about this record is that contrary to the first, this was never written as a pitch for anyone else. It’s deeply personal for both of us, and brings more of Carl’s signature sound to the table. The Shoppies fans will love it – I like to think of it as an amalgamation of the best bits of TSW’s Daysdream and SLP’s Ticking Haze. We initially had sixteen tracks, and finally settled on the twelve that are on the record. Carl was adamant that no ‘filler’ be included – Every track has a purpose, and it’s impossible to pick a favourite!” (Kat)

Their Mixtape

The Sundays – Can’t Be Sure

A stunning 1990 single taken from their equally sublime album Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. Can’t Be Sure was my introduction to this wonderful band. I instantly fell in love with those chiming, jangling guitars and Harriet’s beautiful vocals. Luckily enough, Kat was already a fan when we first met. They have been a big influence on Shapes Like People.

 

The Asteroid No.4 – Opaque

This song from the 2024 Asteroid No.4 album Several Shapes of Solar Flares is for me a modern Shoegaze classic. It ticks all the boxes sonically and has wonderful uplifting melodies that pull you into its glorious swirling sonic soup.

Sol Seppy – Slo Fuzz 

A dark, slow burner from the beautiful LP The Bells of 1 2 from 2006. Fuzz bass and soft vocals lead you into the stunning chorus, when it hits you truly feel like you’re floating. It will appeal to Dream Pop and Shoegaze fans.

Ride – I Came to See the Wreck

Rather than choose a classic Ride song from the 90s, we chose this majestic beast from 2024’s Interplay. This is modern era Ride at their finest, it builds wonderfully into a climatic middle 8 and then the hypnotic, melodic outro. If you’re not in love by this point, check your pulse!

The Telephone Numbers – Telephone Numbers Theme

This upbeat indie pop song is from the latest Telephone Numbers album Scarecrow II, released at the back end of 2025. We could have picked any song from the album but we love the joyous vocals on this one. In some ways it’s not a million miles away from some of the music we make. The album is still on heavy rotation in our house.

The Shop Window – Lady Luck

Shamelessly including a track from my other band, The Shop Window, taken from 2024’s double album Daysdream. Lady Luck IS Kat, and from the moment I met her she has put the wind in my sails. She is the reason I have been in the right head space to make so much music this decade. It’s also one of Kat’s favourite Shoppies songs.

Sparklehorse – Maria’s Little Elbows

I introduced Sparklehorse to Kat when we first met, and she was immediately hooked on their fragile beauty. We still listen to Sparklehorse frequently – it always reminds us of life in London when we first met. Maria’s Little Elbows is a stunning song taken from Sparklehorse’s second album Good Morning Spider, released in 1998. It’s a song I’ll never tire of hearing. When those harmonising E-bow guitars kick in at 3 mins 21, I drift into sonic, melodic heaven… 

Cosmic Rough Riders – You’ve Got Me

Daniel Wylie is up there with our favourite songwriters. He also has a vocal tone and delivery that is irresistible and second to none. You’ve Got Me is one of many stunning songs by a band/artist that should have been huge. This track originally appeared on their album Panorama released in 2000. Not long after, it was also featured on Enjoy the Melodic Sunshine, a superb compilation of their first two albums released on Alan McGee’s Poptones label (started off the back of Creation Records).

Under The Rainbow is out now via Jangleshop/Subjangle Records. Look HERE for more information on Shapes Like People.