Shearwater

Front man Jonathan Meiburg’s vocals are so tender and delicate, it’s a wonder they even make it out of his mouth. Like a choirboy in the desert, Meiburg tells tales that are both innocent and lonely. Shearwater’s new EP Thieves continues the fragile and intricate trance folk of last year’s excellent Winged Life. Helped out in the strength department by Will Sheff (who also plays with Meiburg in their band Okkervil River), Shearwater is now capable of ditching the atmospherics and building a substantial groove. With enough instruments to fill a small fleet of U-Hauls, Shearwater ought to appeal to those in need of a sound so full that the senses might strain to take it all in.