By: Ashton Newton Entertainment Editor
The Shins’ fourth album, “Heartworms,” was announced with the release of the song “Name For You,” an upbeat, groovy tune that felt very Shins.
“Name for You” is poppy, but delightfully unique addition to the album.
Unfortunately, “Name For You” is a rarity in “Heartworms,” many songs sound much like The Shins’ previous music but fail to be anything memorable. “Painting a Hole,” “Cherry Hearts” and “Fantasy Island” all fall into this category. They’re not bad songs, but they just zoom by and don’t catch my attention in any way. Neither the lyrics or the music stood out in any particular way.
The highlight of “Heartworms” is the song “Mildenhall.” This folky song tells an entertaining story with catchy lyrics and mellow music.
“Mildenhall” goes down for me as the best song on the album and one of the best songs that The Shins have ever released.
“Heartworms” lacks a song that will be remembered for a long time. Each Shins album prior has a song or multiple that has gone down as a classic, but “Heartworms” songs are just not memorable. The album doesn’t catch attention like some of the best Shins-songs.
That’s not to say that “Heartworms” isn’t a great album. The music is enjoyable, just not on the same level of The Shins’ previous albums.
Another great song off the album is the title song, “Heartworms.” The song really stands out from the other songs in the album with a unique sound which is almost Beatles-eque. The upbeat music is matched with very meaningful lyrics, making for an enjoyable yet engaging listening experience.
“Dead Alive” is the song I’d recommend to people looking for a song that matches the sound of previous Shins music the most. The lyrics are simple and catchy and the song is similar to songs in albums prior. If already a Shins fan, “Dead Alive” is the perfect new addition to their musical lineup.
Overall, “Heartworms” is a good album. There is nothing horribly wrong with the album, but it fails to be memorable, most of the music just blends together rather than being a continuous enjoyable listen. With a few songs that catch the ear and some that don’t, The Shins new album is worth the listen, but it’s nothing that will be mindblowing.
Contact the author at journalentertainment@wou.edu
