Wye Oak (Andy Stack and Jenn Wasner) performing in 2011
Wye Oak (Andy Stack and Jenn Wasner) performing in 2011

Everybody has been talking about Baltimore duo Wye Oakโ€™s drastic decision to go guitar-less on their new album Shriek (due April 29 in the U.S.), a move singer Jenn Wasner told Spin was a way โ€œto sidestep the blockโ€ that was her โ€œweird baggage associated with the guitar.โ€

If you have any fears about how thatโ€™s going to impact Wye Oakโ€™s sound, put them to rest! The lead single off Shriek, โ€œThe Tower,โ€ shows thereโ€™s much more to the bandโ€™s genius than their iconic guitar textures.

As a bonus for the Baltimore-centric, the new song comes with a video featuring Baltimore performers Ben Oโ€™Brien (full disclosure: heโ€™s my brother) and Cricket Arrison going on a Poppinsesque dance through locations in Station North and the Waldorf School of Baltimore.

Here you go:

Youtube video