Foxwarren (album)

Background and recording

Foxwarren formed about ten years before the album's release, consisting of brothers Darryl Kissick and Avery Kissick along with Dallas Bryson and Andy Shauf. The band's name comes from the Kissicks' Manitoba hometown. Shauf and Bryson, school friends from Caronport, met the Kissick brothers through Regina's music scene and the Sears call centre where Shauf and Avery worked. All tracks except one recorded in 2017 were recorded four years earlier in Regina and Manitoba.

Shauf presented the album to his record labels, who were receptive, but its release was delayed due to Shauf's solo touring and recording schedule. Bassist Darryl Kissick described the delay as a matter of timing. The band recorded all tracks themselves except "Your Small Town", which was recorded with sound engineer Rob Morrison. Although widely billed as a self-titled debut, the band had previously released an album titled Has Been Defeated in 2011, which is stylistically different and was never pressed on vinyl.

CBC noted that Has Been Defeated is not widely known or recognized by the band, and NOW Toronto described Foxwarren as technically the band's sophomore album, with Shauf being secretive about past work.

Critical reception

Foxwarren received positive reviews. Wyndham Wallace of Uncut called it an understated debut of mature sophistication. AllMusic's Marcy Donelson wrote that the album remains off-kilter and irresistibly comforting. Pitchfork's Margaret Farrell noted that the songs suggest a struggle to be comforted, with Shauf finding strength in company. No Ripcord's Juan Edgardo Rodriguez praised the band's attention and care. Mojo described it as a likable debut that peaks on certain tracks, though its airiness does not always work.