Gregory Haft - Wye Oak New Album

Gregory Haft - The indie folk rock duo from Baltimore, Wye Oak, have released a new album called Shriek. The duo consists of Andy Stack who plays drums, back-up vocals, and keyboard and Jenn Wasner who takes over lead vocals and guitar. In this, their fourth album, Wasner notes she was a little nervous about doing something differently saying, “there is more at stake than whether my feelings get hurt or not.” The big difference in this most recent album is that they subbed out her guitar playing with synthesizers. The high stakes that Wasner referenced is her livelihood. “We’ve been touring in this band, making a living off of it since Civilian, and we are very fortunate that that has been the case, but we’re both very aware that it could totally go away.” Using synth was a big change for the pair, but there is no reward without any change or risk when making great, folk-inspired pixie rock like these two do. What has made the duo so loveable is that there is a charged difference between them and the interplay is very interesting. Stack attacks the drums and the more wistful nature of Wasner’s voice and guitar. However, Wasner has always had a love of pop and R&B that she kept out of Wye Oak, but used in other projects with greats like Mariah Carey. When she came up against a creative block with her guitar playing when Stack came to join her on the west cost, she was frustrated until she realized she could make music using a synth and go back to her 90s roots. The use of the synth gives the whole album a sort of chimerical quality and it begins with synth that sounds like raindrops followed by the lyrics “This morning, I woke up on the floor, thinking ‘I have never dreamed before.’” The dreamy quality of the music does not last long because Stack comes in with his usual ferociousness in the songs “The Tower” and “Glory.” There is something exciting about Wasner’s voice in the album, probably because of her newly found instrument to aid the creative process. The songs give an clear mood and groove and although this album may not be as impactful as their others, it is definitely worth listening to.Read less