Austin, TX trio Shearwater is out with their eighth album, and they have clearly hit their stride. Animal Joy is both a new beginning and a return to the past: the band’s first release on the Sub Pop label sees frontman Jonathan Meiburg (guitar, vocals), Thor Harris (drums), and Kimberly Burke (bass) forgoing the expansive and lush indie sensibilities of their recent works to revisit loud indie rock. Originally a mellower side project of Okkervil River members Meiburg and Will Sheff, throughout the past twelve years Shearwater has changed line-ups and explored a variety of themes and sounds, progressing to an energetic, percussion laden collection of solid rock. Standouts include lead single “Animal Life” and closer “Star of the Age.” – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Blue Water White Death, Great Lake Swimmers, Midlake, Okkervil River, J. Tillman