This Is Our Jam: Grizzly Bear, “Sleeping Ute”

Nobody freak out or fire up the Tumblog just yet, but we've got some major news: Grizzly Bear is back. Of course, that's assuming they ever left. Which they didn't, because since '09's critically acclaimed, on-constant-repeat Veckatimest, the BK boys have been busy — Dan Rossen was seen playing with St. Vincent, Ed Droste teamed up with Fleet Fox's Robin Pecknold for a jam, and Chris Taylor has been single-handedly reinventing the Brooklyn record scene with Terrible Records. But, The Bears have finally reconvened for a still-unnamed album, previewing its sweeping glory with the first single, the Rossen-penned "Sleeping Ute."

Grizzly aficionados, you will be pleasantly surprised. The hibernation did nothing but further mature the band's trademark sweeping sound, giving some backbone to the once-timid Droste vocals. "Sleeping Ute" starts large, ditching the slow-and-steady burn of tunes like "Knife" for a more imaginative, psychedelic ride. But, that doesn't make the song any less intense; all the rich effects and layers provide a moody ebb and flow. Based on the strength of this tune alone, we already hear whispers of "album of the year." Okay, fine: Commence the freak-out.