"First Day Back" grows that melodically punchy, not-quite-punk from 2014's "Temple Of Plenty" into a dynamic, finely tuned blend of pop-punk math-rock rhythms and adjacent genres. The old workhorse pace drives hitters "Thorn In The Side" and "Reminded/Weighed Down" in a familiar way, while the lead single, "Alright, I'll Wait" dabbles in atmospherics before delivering a strong, yet nuanced chorus. That knack for friendly, accessible hooks continues to be essential to the Somos charm, rooting their exploration while allowing enough leash to spawn "Violent Decline," a standout as indie as it is emo. It's those subtle additions to an already ahead-of-the-curve sound that have allowed Somos to create something all their own, as smile-inducing as ever. Vinyl version includes download card.
