Shearwater are one of those bands that I feel I have not given enough of a listen to in the past. Their sound and lyrics have always suggested that if I just paid a little more attention they would become one of my favourite bands (especially considering the links with the majestic Okkervil River) but it never really quite worked out. Until Animal Joy that is. From the first listen the latest album (the eighth full release from the Texan band) caught my attention, as if all the promise I had sensed before just clicked into place. To me, Animal Joy sounds like an outfit who have built upon previous efforts and mastered their sound, the record where everything comes together. The poetic, wordy lyrics (as perfectly demonstrated by the opening track Animal Life) suggest that the album will reward repeated listens and I can see myself going back to it again and again this year. On this form Shearwater deserve to claim their place upon the biggest names in American indie rock.
Animal Joy is out on Sub Pop and can be streamed on their Soundcloud page.