Antisocialites

If you’re the type who keeps an ear to the musical ground, chances are back in 2014 you’d heard plenty about Toronto’s Alvvays. In particular, it might’ve been the addictive sweet indie-pop tune “Archie, Marry Me” from the band’s self-titled debut. The four-piece has returned with its second album, Antisocialites, and there’s no sophomore slump to be found here. The hits keep coming—the garage-pop punch of “Your Type,” the 1980s synth-pop of “Not My Baby.” Lyrically, the album falls in line with its title, exploring isolation through various means, as on the first track, “Undertow,” where a simple break-up plays out and vocalist Molly Rankin sings, “Meditate, play solitaire,” and poses the question: “What’s left for you and me?” The title feels apt as well, for even though the album is quick and light pop, it’s the kind of hit-after-hit breeze that makes you want to stop everything else and just listen. There’ll be plenty of time to talk about it later.