Protomartyr carry the torch of post-punk’s forefathers — the Fall, Joy Division, Bauhaus, Nick Cave — but do so with a brutal, emotional honesty and melodic expertise that shows they can burn just as hard as their ancestors. The Detroit-based band returns after 2014’s excellent Under Color Of Official Right with an even darker, spikier follow-up. Agent Intellect is thoroughly flooded with intense conflict, tension, and dread. Frontman Joe Casey’s deadpan, drawling ruminations on mortality and the human condition reach a nearly Dostoyevsky-esque level of existential conflict. But within the swamp of these bleak, deeply troubled phrases, a stream of light, and perhaps hope, peeks through. The melodically driven, dynamic nature of these songs creates a level of complexity and brightness that makes Agent Intellect more than just pure doom-and-gloom. These tracks also bounce and shake with a sky-soaring energy. NPR premiered the album today, and you can stream it below.

Agent Intellect is out 10/9 on Hardly art. Pre-order it on vinyl here.