Album Stream: Shearwater - Animal Joy

Shearwater’s Jonathan Meiburg has spearheaded his Austin-based group for more than a decade. Over that time, his group has continued to musically evolve since Meiburg’s departure from Okkervil River. Their new record Animal Joy is no exception.

The band’s 2001 debut album The Dissolving Room first introduced Kim Burke on upright bass and Thor Harris at drums. These two key figures have remained apart of the lineup in the midst of the band bouncing through various lineups, record labels and residences. Shearwater’s stability helped bring about the band’s epic trilogy “Island Arch” of albums Palo Santo, Rook and The Golden Archipelago—fortified their stature as a group.

Shearwater’s newest direction is more atmospheric and leaves a lasting impression. Animal Joy is indeed joyous—the primal instincts of “Breaking the Yearlings,” self acceptance in “Dread Sovereign” and celebration in “Open Your Houses” all speak to an overreaching tonality of accepting human nature and basking in its pleasures.

Danny Reisch produced and recorded Shearwater’s latest effort, while Peter Katis (The National, Interpol, Jonsi) mixed the album. Animal Joy won’t be out until Feb. 14, but you can hear it streaming all this week here.