Shearwater's "The New World" confronts global unease with communal sound

Jonathan Meiburg's band Shearwater releases "The New World," their first self-released album, moving away from the introspective, nature-themed sound of their two quarantine albums toward a more vigilant and restless tone. The album features an expanded lineup of guest musicians playing saxophone, clarinet, guitar, qanun, ngoni, and percussion, creating lush arrangements that evoke 1980s orchestral pop and Kate Bush-like drama. Meiburg, a trained ornithologist, abandons extended instrumental passages, entering with vocals early in the songs. The album's orchestral foundation and anxious energy reflect the current global climate, yet the collective effort of many musicians suggests solidarity and hope within community. Shearwater members Emily Lee and Dan Duszynski join Meiburg on this release.