Wye Oak- Shriek Vinyl Record

Having spent the majority of their lives in Baltimore, Maryland, Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack found themselves on divergent coasts of the country following the extensive touring of their critically acclaimed 2011 album, Civilian. Amid this unanticipated dispersion and an uncertain future, the duo leaned into their physical separation, fostering a creative exchange of ideas that allowed fresh works to blossom in their individual solitudes. The result was Shriek, Wye Oak’s fourth full-length album, which stands as a powerful testament to their intent to articulate their emotional and intuitive selves through primal outbursts and cathartic releases, making it their boldest and most personal statement to date.

Encouraged by her recent exploration of the bass, Jenn found a renewed approach to songwriting, one where the guitar no longer set harmonic constraints or necessitated a reciprocal interaction with her vocals, a defining characteristic of prior Wye Oak records. Liberated from these confines, Jenn's phrasing took flight, often dovetailing with Andy's contemplative and rhythmically engaging keyboard parts. This symbiotic dynamic gave rise to intricate arrangements that serve as the foundation for the song's melodic arcs and innovative rhythmic elements, attesting to the duo's capacity for adaptability and growth amidst change and challenge.