The band employed both traditional and electronic instruments, and their sound has been categorized as chamber pop, psychedelic folk, and art rock.

The album featured drumming contributions from Bear, who would go on to join the project full-time in 2004, alongside Taylor and Rossen for live performances.

Performing as a four-piece, the resulting chemistry turned Grizzly Bear into a band of equal collaborators, with Rossen becoming its co-lead vocalist and second principal songwriter, and Taylor adopting the role of producer and multi-instrumentalist.

Preceded by the single "Two Weeks", the band's third studio album, Veckatimest (2009), increased their exposure significantly, reaching #8 on the Billboard 200 and selling over 220,000 copies.

"[11] Droste and Bear were subsequently joined by bass guitarist and producer Chris Taylor, and performed four shows together as a three-piece.

Rossen stated, "For a long time, I only played my songs to close friends; and it just happened that I lived with Chris Taylor during my second year of college, so he heard them.

"[13] Regarding the decision to turn Grizzly Bear into a full band, Droste noted: "I was quite happy to relinquish the idea of being a solo artist.

It was named for Droste's mother's house where it was recorded[15] and ranked as one of the top albums of 2006 by The New York Times and Pitchfork.

In addition, members of the Dirty Projectors and Beirut collaborated with the band on "Alligator" and the EP's hidden track.

[18] In Toronto, on their last date of the tour together, Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood spoke of his love for Grizzly Bear, on stage, calling them his favorite band.

Chris Bear has noted that compared to Yellow House, the 2009 release Veckatimest is more of an accessible pop record.

[24] In 2009 Grizzly Bear played at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on February 28 with Owen Pallett, backed by an orchestra arranged by Nico Muhly and conducted by Michael Christie.

Ed Droste has stated that many songs (such as "Central and Remote", "Reprise" and "Campfire") will not be played again unless backed by an orchestra.

[25] In 2009, Grizzly Bear collaborated with singer Victoria Legrand on the song "Slow Life" for The Twilight Saga: New Moon.

In March 2012, Daniel Rossen released a solo EP, Silent Hour/Golden Mile, consisting of tracks he had written for the band's forthcoming album, but were not used.

[29] Grizzly Bear was scheduled to headline and curated ATP's I'll Be Your Mirror festival at Alexandra Palace in London, UK on May 5, 2013.

However, after the event was initially postponed to November 2013, I'll Be Your Mirror was cancelled in August due to "problems with the venue and new date".

[33] In January 2014, Grizzly Bear closed out their international Shields tour with a sold-out performance at the Sydney Opera House.

During the tour, Rossen commented on the future of Grizzly Bear, stating: "We don't have a clear plan.

In a more recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine, singer Ed Droste explained that a new album was in the works.

While two members still live in New York, the other half, including Droste, have traded coasts and now reside in Los Angeles.

[35][36] On April 4, 2017, Grizzly Bear posted a short video clip to their website and Instagram account[37]—presumably a demo or sample from their upcoming album.

[39][40][41][42] The album was followed by a music video for the track "Losing All Sense," released onto the band's Vevo on September 28, 2017, featuring actresses Busy Philipps and Freckle.

Rossen released his debut solo album, You Belong There, in April 2022, which featured significant contributions from Bear throughout.

"[7] Rossen elaborated in a further interview: "I think where we are now is just a very natural — you know, Grizzly Bear, I joined that band at the end of 2004, so you consider how long that was.

"[45] In 2009, Grizzly Bear contributed "Service Bell" (with Feist) and "Deep Blue Sea" to the AIDS benefit album Dark Was the Night produced by the Red Hot Organization.

[47] That same year they also released a charity T-shirt via the Yellow Bird Project, to raise money for the Brighter Planet Foundation.