Recorded in singer/guitarist James Mercer’s basement studio, Phil Ek’s Seattle digs and in Oregon City with veteran engineer Joe Chiccarelli (Beck, U2), Wincing the Night Away is The Shins’ third full-length album. It’s also the sound of a band growing up and out. Mercer’s infectious, indelible melodic style is still at the core, and unfaltering. But anything can happen around it – and in this case, it does. While the vocals channel the spirit of Morrissey, “Sea Legs” pairs a loping hip-hop beat with lush melody and searing guitars. Elsewhere the band toys with tweaked-out, liquid piano steeped in kaleidoscopic strings (“Red Rabbit”); fractured synth samples (“Split Needles”); gauzy keyboards cloaking thunderous anthems (“Sleeping Lessons”); and, taking cues from early Jesus and Mary Chain albums, sweeping, fuzz-toned epics (“Phantom Limb”).

Sub Pop proudly presents ‘Oh, Inverted World’, ‘Chutes Too Narrow’ and ‘Wincing The Night Away’ available to independent retailers reissued / re-pressed on coloured vinyl with digital download codes.

‘Chutes Too Narrow’ is pressed on orange vinyl, ‘Oh, Inverted World’ on mint vinyl, ‘Wincing The Night Away’ on silver vinyl.

Hailing from Albuquerque, NM, The Shins sprung from the ashes of Flake / Flake Music in 1997 (though those previous incarnations date back nearly a decade) – same members, different instruments, different approach. Counterpoint guitars gave way to a single guitar pitted against calculated keyboard passages; swarming indie rock machinations led to pop-based melodic endeavours.

“This quartet from Albuquerque, New Mexico captured our hearts this summer with their pristine pop perfection.” – Mojo