If Sleater-Kinney and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were to meet up and make their version of a shoegaze album . . . did I just write that? It's not that far off actually. Valerie Green and Paige Shedletsky have been collaborating for a couple decades, and what with COVID and all they decided to record these songs remotely (Green in Indy and Shedletsky down the road in Louisville) and recruit a couple of (remote) friends to fill in the blanks.

Karate, Guns & Tanning Concrete Beach (self-released)

The shoegaze sheen lends a bit of a modern feel to these songs, their roots are straight out of the 90s. It's not too big of a leap to call this a haphazard descendant of the legendary early 80s Louisville scene. The ambition, drive and willingness to create just about any sound in service of the music all fit nicely.

This is not nice music. Even with the shoegaze scrim, the sound is jagged and raspy. The songs are anthemic, but they don't have much in the way of hooks. I like that. The band's unwillingness to provide a cleansing resolution is refreshing.

And yes, play this loud. And then louder. The abrasion ought to get your skin ready for this year's return to the beach. This is a real pile-driver. With something this good, I'm a real glutton for punishment.

Jon Worley