After a three-year recording hiatus, the soft-spoken hipsters of Grizzly Bear are back with their fourth studio album, “Shields.” Lead vocalist Ed Droste’s sincere tone and effortless falsetto make his songs sound as though they are overheard pillow talk. It’s no wonder the indie-rock band has cultivated a reputation for ethereal, dream-like tracks. “Shields” is a solid album and has a more organic, unrefined sound than 2009’s “Veckatimist.”  “Sleeping Ute” and “Sun in Your Eyes” stand out among other songs on the album, but it lacks that breakout hit. “Shields” feels more ambitious than the Brooklyn-based band’s previous efforts with more textures and infusions of psychedelic pop. Grizzly Bear fans may rejoice as “Shields” will make the three-year wait for new music feel as though it was just two weeks.

Grade: B+