Year-end list alumni Naked Giants return with their third full-length album under their belt, titled Shine Away. The Seattle-based indie rock trio—Grant Mullen (vocals, guitar), Gianni Aiello (bass, vocals) and Henry LaVallee (drums)—have lost none of their youthful energy but have developed a more mature sound, which is reflected in nine well-produced songs that are bullshit-free, self-controlled and purposefully thought out, but at the same time they manage to surprise with catchy hooks and classy harmony vocals. Thematically the musicians deliver more meaning and emotion, with lots of clever (“Put me in that television like I’m Tom Verlaine”) and memorable lyrics (“we’re in a story where the bad guys win”), but above all this is alluring and credible music with the right balance between head and heart.

Shine Away, produced by Dylan Wall, is out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP, trough DevilDuck Records.

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