On tour for their newest album, “Heartworms,” The Shins performed to a crowd of dedicated fans at Emo’s on Nov. 12.

By Iris Bilich

The Shins’ performance started off with the iconic first whistle in “Caring is Creepy” from their first album from 2001, establishing that their show wasn’t just for their newest album but was a celebration of past successes too. “Heartworms” was released after a five-year break, and the joy from old and new fans was tangible. As the band performed songs from every one of their five albums, the fluidity between the songs carried into the audience as the older and younger crowds united.

Pulling sounds from the bright rock popular in the ‘80s, The Shins have created a distinct yet fluid sound of their own over the last two decades. With an element of timelessness, each album of theirs is both different and cohesive. James Mercer, the lead singer-songwriter, creator and frontman of the band, possesses a voice that provides a contrast in each song: the dark lyricism versus the deceptively lighter vocals and instrumentation. Captivated by this contrast and timelessness, fans of The Shins have been increasing in number since the late ‘90s when the band formed.

As the only remaining original member, Mercer’s iconic voice pulled emotional heart strings while he sang the songs that make The Shins who they are. Discussing the band’s musical identity, Pitchfork says, “Like many of the indie bands from his era, including fellow pop true believers the New Pornographers and Death Cab for Cutie—one of the few other acts from the mid-’00s indie boom still on a major label—Mercer has survived by staying the course. He has largely resisted trends or any temptation to drift too far from his established sweet spot.” This “sweet spot” can consistently be found in each of their five albums, and was also heard in their nostalgic yet fresh live performance.