A fun blend of punk, glam, and powerpop

While garage-rock peers such as Ty Segall and John Dwyer have garnered steadily increasing press and recognition, Cheap Time leader Jeffrey Novak has quietly established himself as a songwriter whose output never slouches in quality and quantity. His group‰’s latest release, Exit Smiles, is yet another strong collection of riotous, fuzzed-out tunes with a knack for melody. Novak excels in crafting songs that are equal parts glam and garage; where he differs from similar artists such as King Tuff‰’s Kyle Thomas, for example, is that Novak‰’s vocals maintain a punk snarl rather a bratty whine. The band behind him follows suit, adopting a relentless sound that can be heard in the bashing drums of “8:05‰” or weaving guitar lines that propel “Same Surprise.‰” This is aggressive music, but it never feels mean-spirited. Rather, Exit Smiles provides the perfect soundtrack for a rowdy, sweaty house show. Rock on, everybody.

RIYL: Redd Kross, King Tuff, Terry Malts

Recommended Tracks: 1, 2, 6, 8