The Walkmen are the great New York band of their generation, and in Heaven, they have delivered their third killer album in a row, they’re making the best music of their career and filling their largest venues yet. Their spot at the top of the bill at May’s Crossing Brooklyn Ferry festival, curated by The National, demonstrates the respect in which they are held by the current wave of bands making music in the city.

It’s been ten years since the Walkmen made their debut album, Everybody Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone. Ten years since they mixed the lovingly recorded analogue tapes down to the cheapest CD burner they could find. Ten years since lead singer Hamilton Leithauser snapped guitarist Paul Maroon’s arm in a celebratory wrestling match. Ten years since critics attached them to a New York scene they never wanted any part of.

They count Arcade Fire and Fleet Foxes as friends and have over the few years found themselves an army of adoring fans on this side of the pond too through a series of sell out tours and that have been more like hometown shows than gigs thousands of miles away, down largely to their life affirming, heartfelt brand of indie rock.