American Football (LP4)

One of the most unlikely comeback stories in indie rock continues with the fourth self-titled album from American Football, the intricate and sweeping post-emo band fronted by eternal Midwestern journeyman Mike Kinsella. Much like their self-titled sophomore effort from 2016, <i>American Football</i> is a reunion release of sorts, following the band’s indefinite hiatus as a result of drummer Steve Lamos briefly departing in 2021. With Lamos back in the fold, the quartet draw inspiration from the darker corners of their catalogue on <i>American Football</i>, from Kinsella’s unflinchingly honest lyrical self-examinations to the dazzling latticework of guitars that stretches across the album. As with 2019’s self-titled third release, a few guests pop up throughout as well: Turnstile’s Brendan Yates lends his distinctive vocals to “No Feeling”, nu-gaze wunderkind Wisp throws down on “Wake Her Up” and in a particularly inspired moment of cross-emo kismet, Caithlin De Marrais of post-hardcore legends Rainer Maria appears on the dusky, sparkling “Blood on My Blood”.