Post Animal – Iron
Every band reunion carries a bit of mystery. Will the spark still be there? Can the old magic return? With Iron, Post Animal doesn’t just reunite, they reconnect in a way that feels grounded, joyful, and fully unforced.
For the first time in years, all six original members (yes, including Joe Keery) are back in the same room. Not just emailing tracks or patching things together. They packed up, unplugged, and set up shop in the woods of Indiana. No distractions. Just friends, gear, and time. And Iron is the sound of that: not a comeback, but a reset. Loose, warm, and full of earned ease.
Atmosphere First, Hooks Second
From the first few seconds of Iron, you can tell they’re not rushing anything. “Malcolm’s Cooking” opens with soft picking, clinking glasses, and voices in the background. It feels like the moment before the record button gets pressed, and that might be the whole point.
The songs that follow drift more than drive. “Last Goodbye” and “Maybe You Have To” feel lived-in, with grooves that sit just right and melodies that don’t beg for attention. “Setting Sun” stretches out with a calm confidence, while “Pie in the Sky” brings just enough twang to keep things glowing. No one’s flexing here. They’re listening to each other, building gently, letting the tracks breathe.
There’s no single mood, but everything feels connected. Whether it’s the tight groove of “Dorien Kregg” or the hush of the closer “Iron,” this record moves like a late-night conversation: unhurried, thoughtful, real.
Played Together, Felt Together
The performances on Iron are a lesson in trust. You can tell this isn’t a band trying to prove anything. Joe Keery slides back in like he never left, not as a spotlight but as a thread in the fabric. The guitar work glows without showing off. The rhythm section holds things down without needing to dominate. The vocals across the board land with clarity and comfort.
Everything sounds better because everyone’s playing for the song. No fillers. No overproduction. Just six musicians making choices together in a room.
Vinyl Vibes: Built for a Full Listen
Iron feels made for vinyl. Side A lifts “Last Goodbye,” “Setting Sun,” “What’s a Good Life” then Side B settles you with “Dorien Kregg,” “Common Denominator,” and the quiet close of “Iron.” It’s paced like a setlist, not a shuffle, meaningful from start to finish.
Final Take: No Flash, Just Feel
Iron isn’t about perfection. It’s about reconnection. It’s about friendship, trust, and making music together again after time apart.
It’s chill, heartfelt, and surprisingly sticky. One of those albums that sinks in slow and stays with you, like putting on a record with friends in a cabin, clinking glasses, and just being present.
Best Spins: “Maybe You Have To,” “Last Goodbye,” “Iron”
For Fans Of: Real Estate, Pond, Drugdealer, Cass McCombs, bands that make good use of silence
