8/10

After a career defined by innovation and heart, My Morning Jacket step into their tenth chapter with 'is', a record that feels as spontaneous as it is intentional. This latest full-length sees the Louisville collective breaking new ground, not only in sound but in spirit. For the first time, they’ve handed the reins to an outside producer, and not just any producer, but the legendary Brendan O’Brien, whose track record with icons like Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam speaks volumes. That bold move marks a pivotal moment in the band’s trajectory, one that breathes fresh perspective into a discography already rich with evolution.

From the very first notes of 'Out in the Open', 'is' asserts itself as an album about vulnerability. The inclusion of raw, early demos layered into final studio takes reflects a creative process focused less on polish and more on preserving soul. Tracks like 'Time Waited' feel divinely channelled, born from dreams and intuitive bursts rather than calculated craft. It’s this sense of surrender to melody, to moment, to something ineffable that threads the record together. Even on the most groove-heavy offerings like 'Squid Ink' or the fuzz-drenched 'Half a Lifetime', there’s a tension between chaos and clarity, between abandon and control. The band leans into their psychedelic tendencies without losing sight of emotional core, each song anchored by Jim James’ lyrical introspection and unmistakable vocal glow.

What sets 'is' apart isn’t just its sound, it’s the feeling that the band is rediscovering themselves in real time. After over two decades of boundary-pushing records and spiritually charged live sets, this one feels like a culmination and a reinvention. There’s wisdom here, but also wonder. It’s the sound of seasoned artists approaching their craft with the wide-eyed thrill of newcomers.