“I was the best at being second place but now I’m just the runner-up,” Sadie Dupuis sings on The Graduates, a track on her band Speedy Ortiz’s new album. Despite the self deprecation, Dupuis and her band just released a winner.
Like much of the album, Foil Deer, the song The Graduates will remind you of ’90s indie and “alternative” rock (as it was then called). Pavement and Breeders come to mind the most listening to the album start to finish. But there’s a little more range on this new release than on the band’s 2013 debut Major Arcana and last year’s Real Hair EP. There’s even a dance number, Puffer, which is thoroughly enjoyable.
Dupuis previously taught writing at the university level and it shows in her songs. Massachusetts-based Speedy Ortiz distinguishes itself from other ’90s-sounding acts in part through Dupuis’ smart, sharp lyrics. Out this week, Foil Deer is highly recommended.
Speedy Ortiz plays Empty Bottle next week (April 30).
All the Young Punks 