Gimme 5 alumni Stella Maxwell used to front Cruiserweight, but nowadays lends her distinct voice to Stella and the Very Messed. The new band—which also counts members of Gentlemen Rogues, Broken Gold, Schatzi, Major Major Major, Black Books, and Tender Wolf—sounds less like an extension of Cruiserweight and more like a clean break. Sure, a track like Constable Garza is Bad at His Job carries a pop-punk streak, but for the most part Big Familiar, their second full-length, tilts toward pop and alternative rock, with electronic touches worked tastefully into the mix.

It’s the kind of modern alt-pop where the melodies shine and nothing feels overdone. Lack of Secrets in particular could slide easily onto mainstream radio, while Soothsayer recalls The New Pornographers in the way it keeps stacking new layers until it bursts with payoff. Big Familiar is a record that makes a strong case for starting fresh and finding a new sense of maturity without losing your edge.

Big Familiar is out now on LP and CD.

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