8/10

Warped Records  | 17.09.12

Upon hearing Sleeping Ute, the first teaser track from Shields, followers of Grizzly Bear were understandably getting quite excited.┬á Dense percussion textures, twisting guitar lines and a characteristically unconventional structure all pointed towards a very pleasing follow up to 2009ÔÇÖs highly praised Veckatimest.┬á On the whole, the rest of the album doesnÔÇÖt disappoint.┬á The band seemed to have finally achieved a happy medium between their more abstract and kooky side and their more poppy alter ego.┬á Where they sat quite uncomfortably next to each other on Veckatimest, these two sides appear to have come together to create a more homogenous sound, particularly evident on the second single, Yet Again.┬á Although it is lyrically quite simplistic, the warm, lush guitars and layered drum patterns create a beautiful soundworld, while the instrumental breakdown at the end is an unexpected yet wonderful surprise.┬á On the whole, ┬áShields builds on the qualities and ideas that were present on Veckatimest, but in a more coherent fashion.

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