Iron and Wine, aka singer-songwriter Sam Beam, was featured in the New York Times this weekend. Beam talks with Times writer James C. McKinley Jr. about the evolution of his songwriting, culminating in Iron and Wine's just-released fifth studio album, Ghost on Ghost, his Nonesuch debut, which was recorded in Brooklyn and produced by Beam’s longtime associate Brian Deck.

"Some of the tracks on the new LP are built over jazz rhythms and walking bass lines; others are constructed over funk beats," writes the Times' McKinley. "The songs feature Motown chord progressions with R&B horn lines, string parts and rich layered backup harmonies reminiscent of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s late arrangements. One track, 'Lover’s Revolution,' is a conscious nod to Charles Mingus."

McKinley goes on to say that Beam "has been expanding his sonic palette and arrangements since The Shepherd’s Dog album of 2007, and he continued the trend with Kiss Each Other Clean in 2011, but his new album carries him even further from his minimalist roots."

You can read the interview at nytimes.com.

To pick up a copy of Ghost on Ghost, head to the Nonesuch Store, where CD and vinyl orders include a download of the complete album at checkout. You'll also find the new Iron and Wine 7" vinyl single released over the weekend for Record Store Day, featuring two exclusive tracks unavailable anywhere else: "Next to Paradise" and "Dirty Dream."