Reunion albums rarely deliver. 20 years later though, and The Format have managed to deliver something fresh, and in a completely direction from their predecessor. They've traded in their power-pop sound for something more 90s Alt-Rock and Grunge influenced but undeniably The Format with all the hooks you hope to find on a Format record. 

Joyce Manor have found a spot and settled over the course of their career. You know more or less what to expect. 2 minute bangers you find yourself shouting in the car on your morning commutes. I Used to Go to This Bar doesn't waste time with any padding. Arguably their catchiest album in years with sweet melodies left and right. From their Smiths reminiscent track, "All My Friends are So Depressed" to their fast paced punk rager "The Opossum."

Olivia Rodrigo is one of the few young artists you can hear growing exponentially as a songwriter with each new album. After two albums with strong pop-punk influences, on You Look Pretty Sad For a Girl So In Love, she looks to 80s New Wave for inspiration. The Cure influence is heard all over the album. "The Cure" is a song on the album. The Cure is literally ON the album due to Robert Smith lending his voice for a track. 

I'm sorry but Ratboys were never on my radar for over the past decade they've been around. Through word of mouth, this album made its way to my speakers. Singin' to an Empty Chair takes you on a journey through with peaks and valleys of American, Indie-Rock, and Power-Pop with some tracks topping 5 and even 8 minutes, but rarely any lulls. 

I don't think Converge are capable of not delivering a solid record. This year they've delivered 2. Hum of Hurt just happens to come out ahead for me. It's a bit more sludgy oddly enough darker than Love is Not Enough's fast riff-laden tracks. You find Bannon's more heart wrenching singing as opposed to his aggressive shrieks that tend to draw me in more. Each album is both sides of the same coin, I just happen to find Hum of Hurt a more interesting listen.