In these crazy times, there’s something wonderfully defiant and comforting about making upbeat music. On Stranger Days, Today Junior turn loneliness, uncertainty and everyday frustration into ten tightly wound hits of surf-inflected garage rock, where punk urgency meets bright melodies and a healthy dose of infectious energy (fans of Together Pangea, Sweet Reaper, or Twin Peaks will appreciate this). And whoa, does it sound good, with those cool guitars and gritty vocals giving everything a deliciously rough edge.

The Boston trio sounds particularly at home when the songs collide with the contradictions of modern life, wanting to escape while knowing there’s nowhere to go, feeling lost while refusing to stop moving: “Crowded cretins // Everyone has made their point // But they’ll still argue // We don’t have to stick around” (from opening track If You Want To). There’s some vulnerability behind the fuzz and power, but hardly any signals of self-pity. Instead, Today Junior find their own small act of resistance in staying temptingly loud and stubbornly hopeful. We’ll happily hold on to that spark.

Stranger Days—produced by Today Junior and Andrew Oedel—is out digitally and on CD (self-released). Featuring Harry O’Toole (guitar, lead vocals), Jonathan Hislop (bass, backing vocals), and Mike O’Toole (drums, percussion, backing vocals, harmonies).

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