In the past quarter-century, those in the know have watched Shearwater slyly become one of the most distinctive and adventurous American bands. Led (as always) by songwriter and natural historian Jonathan Meiburg, The New Worlds nine immersive songs find the group farther afield than ever, and inrare company: along with Meiburgs fellow Shearwaters Emily Lee and Dan Duszynski, the albums supporting cast includes instrumental wizard Shahzad Ismaily, saxophonist and clarinetist Doug Wieselman, qanunist Farouz Zriek, guitarist Leo Abrahams, ngonist Mamadou Kouyate, percussionists Mahamadou Tounkara and Moctar Kouyate (of Ngoni Ba), and unclassifiable drummer Thor Harris. (Theres even a surprise visit from a certain L. Anderson.) That might sound like a lot of passengers, but theyre all ideal company for a headlong journey through joy, confusion, reverence and defiance, with Meiburgs voice as a graceful yet elusive guide. Both spare and ornate, The New World is absorbing in a way few albums are; its hard not to listen to the end once you drop in.

Tracklisting:

SIDE A
1. Even Song
2. More and More
3. Daydream Unbeliever
4. A Mink in the Dusk
5. The Only Sound Im Afraid Of
SIDE B
1. The High Ranges
2. Slugs in the Marigolds
3. Anamnesia
4. You and Your Dog