It’s been four years since Gov’t Mule’s last studio album, By A Thread, and in the interim, Warren Haynes’ rich songwriting has only grown more eclectic. There’s a loose, exploratory vibe throughout Shout!, the band’s tenth studio album, showcasing every facet of the Mule sound—along with some new wrinkles that you’d never expect. The quartet’s chops remain as striking as ever, with Danny Louis’ Hammond B3 firing sparks off Jorgen Carlsson’s bass. Haynes, meanwhile, is an endless well of mind-numbing funk and blues riffs—for proof, check the unexpected wah-wah climax of “Whisper in Your Soul” or the intricate fretwork on the simmering “No Reward.” But it’s the unexpected sonic trips that truly intrigue: “Scared To Live” is a reggae-inspired groove-fest, drawing from Toots & The Maytals, and “Funny Little Tragedy” is a snappy, punk-ish pop tune with an Elvis Costello vibe. On the bonus disc, other vocalists re-interpret nine tracks: Grace Potter adds a smoky sensuality to “Whisper in Your Soul” and Jim James’ elongated cries are a perfect fit for the brooding blues of “Captured.” Ultimately, though, Haynes’ voice— literally and figuratively—rings loudest.