Speedy Ortiz – Major Arcana (Carpark)
The now-exploding music scene that orbits Boston often feels like it’s made up of underdogs. These bands have produced so many songs about self-doubt, depression, and frustration that their inherent humor seems like a defense mechanism. But Speedy aren’t underdogs in the wake of their incredible debut; they’re champions. Champions to other bands and, in Sadie Dupuis’ razor-sharp poetry and painful imagery, to kids who feel bad about sitting alone at lunch or think for even a moment that they’d be better off dead. With hyperactive melodies and searing noise, Major Arcana could put a ton of crappy guidance counselors out of work. –Miles [LISTEN]