The Shins Wincing the Night Away cassette is the third full-length album. Recorded in a mix of locations—singer/guitarist James Mercer’s basement studio, Phil Ek’s Seattle space, and in Oregon City with seasoned producer Joe Chiccarelli (Beck, U2)—this album marks a turning point for the band, showing their growth and evolution.
 
Mercer’s unmistakable melodic style remains at the heart of the music, steady and captivating, but now anything can happen around it—and it does.
 
Mercer’s vocals echo the spirit of Morrissey, while tracks like “Sea Legs” blend a loping hip-hop beat with lush melodies and sharp guitars. The band explores new sonic territories, from the tweaked-out, liquid piano and kaleidoscopic strings on “Red Rabbit,” to fractured synth samples on “Spilt Needles,” and gauzy, arpeggiated keyboards that shroud thunderous anthems like “Sleeping Lessons.” Drawing inspiration from early Jesus and Mary Chain records, they craft sweeping, fuzz-drenched epics like “Phantom Limb.” And, of course, there are the quintessential Shins songs we’ve all come to adore: the lilting and infectious “Turn on Me,” “Girl Sailor,” and “Australia.”