Although four years have passed since The Shins last released a record, the stark directional change on ‘Port of Morrow’ may have come too soon for many fans. James Mercer is the sole remaining member of the original line-up and re-assumes the role of sole creative force, using this clean slate as a basis for greater experimentation. The injection of background layers of noise, distortion and whirring initially distract from the timeless Pet Sounds-influenced pop vibes which previous Shins outings exude by the bucketload. However taking on a fuller form hasn’t made ‘Port of Morrow’ any less enjoyable than previous records; the characteristic essence of The Shins remains intact, and hasn’t splintered during this Mercer-driven metamorphosis.
Enlisting producer Greg Kurstin to create a more refined sound when compared to the lo-fi production on previous records has paid dividends for The Shins. Amplifying the self-confident poetic poignancy of Mercer’s lyrical wit above powerful soundscapes lends his voice unprecedented directness, no longer being obscured behind more rustic textures. This power is reflected in the booming delivery of the first single ‘Simple Song’, as warmth gradually envelops the listener as Mercer compares being overwhelmed by love to feeling “like an ocean being warmed by the sun”.
Perfectly paced, the peaks and troughs of Mercer’s emotional path are laid out and fleshed out in a fashion that prevents this record being merely confined to a ‘sunny day’, as attempts to pigeonhole previous The Shins’ records have done so. The retention of the intimacy synonymous with The Shins despite new bolder sounds is what picks this record out as extraordinary amongst its contemporaries; balancing new-fangled eeriness and contemporary production with lyrical simplicity and emotional depth allows them to achieve this distinction with flying colours.
Despite ‘Port of Morrow’ being an experimental change for The Shins’ sound, all that is achieved is marrying archetypal Shins with contemporary musicianship and greater expansiveness. Which is no mean feat, but perhaps this record may not ‘change your life’ (in the words of Natalie Portman in GardenState), but this cannot detract from the fact that ‘Port of Morrow’ is exceptionally well-crafted and an early contender for record of the year.
Rishi Modha 