Shy Boys

Shy Boys made their introduction in 2014 with a self-titled debut that wove the rich vocal layers and tuneful warmth of 1960s sunshine pop and the Beach Boys into forward-thinking indie pop of the present day. Their approach grew tighter on Bell House in 2018, where vocal harmonies moved to the foreground, before the band pursued bolder, more experimental paths echoing Animal Collective on 2020’s Talk Loud.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri to a concert pianist and a jazz musician, brothers Collin and Kyle Rausch began harmonizing together in childhood and continued through their church choir. Each performed in separate local groups until Kyle joined forces with his ACBs bandmate Konnor Ervin to launch Shy Boys in 2012. The resulting jangly debut, issued on Kansas City’s High Dive Records, displayed not only the group’s fondness for surf rock alongside 1960s-style harmonies but also their skill with melody and intricate chord work. Ross Brown and Kyle Little joined the roster in the ensuing years.

For their sophomore effort the band heightened studio polish without sacrificing the organic feel that defined their music, securing a contract with Polyvinyl in early 2018. Bell House, titled after the longtime group headquarters, appeared that August. During the same period Shy Boys supported Cut Worms and Polyvinyl labelmates STRFKR on tour and shared a North Carolina stage with Fleet Foxes.

Drawing on a broader instrumental palette that favored synths and percussion instead of guitars, the trio tracked their third album at Jackpot Studios in Portland, with overdubs and further mixing handled at their own facility. Talk Loud reached listeners via Polyvinyl in September 2020.