Here at MusicTAP, we not only appreciate the classic stuff, we also get into plenty of new stuff. ‘Round here, there’s always music from somebody playing. Today’s post is about a band that you’ve heard me rave about before. That band is Wye Oak, a two-member group that has been around since 2007 with the release of their first album, If Children. That album established their hybrid of Folk Rock with forays into electronics, dream pop, and other areas that they are influenced by. With four albums in circulation (If Children, The Knot, Civilian, Shriek), all via Merge Records, they have a nice collection of music to peruse and enjoy.
Their biggest album, Civilian (2011), rightfully yields the most payoff. With the title track heard universally on several television series, that album is the logical starting point for this band. However, Wye Oak is a restless band. On their last album, Shriek (2014), the duo explored the magic of pop electronica, blending their usual style to create an interesting set of tracks that were too good to not listen to.
Yesterday (06/09/2016), Merge Records digitally released a curio set from the band that assembles a package featuring unused – and revisited – music from their sessions on Civilian, and Shriek. It can be heard easily enough from several digital streaming locations but I’d direct you to Spotify if you have that installed.
The new album has eight tracks. I’ve listened to them and like what I hear. Definitely a collector’s set for the fan of Wye Oak. As stated by Merge Records (and agreed with by me), “Tween is full of gorgeous Wye Oak songs whose only crime was timing and context, made by two people at the height of their game. One minute Jenn and Andy are embracing their floatiest Cocteau Twins instinct (“If You Should See”), the next they’re back in Civilian territory a bit (“No Dreaming”), and later they’re slinky and electronic and gorgeously ‘80s (“On Luxury”).
Tween (which I assume stands for being be’tween’ projects) will be released physically on CD and vinyl LP on August 5. And yes, it IS worth your acquisition.
If you’re unaware of Wye Oak, well…now’s the opportune time to remedy that. I’ll start you out below with one of their best.