- The new album, Foil Deer, by the indie rock band, Speedy Ortiz, starts with a slow burn. The first track Good Neck begins with tub thumping drums and classic '90’s indie rock style guitar interplay and ends in a few softly sung lines from lead singer Sadie Dupuis. She sings; “I’ve known you not so very long but watch your back because baby’s so good with a blade.” The first of a few references to blades and back stabbing in this collection of songs.

After that one comes two of the strongest songs on the album, and almost undoubtedly, the two catchiest. First is Raising the Skate, an all-out rocking ode to female empowerment that sports chorus lyrics like “I’m not bossy, I’m the boss / Shooter not the shot”, which is a statement in itself. There’s no glass ceiling here, it’s already been smashed to pieces by the ferocity of the wall of sound that she commands.

After that is the albums second single The Graduates which cements the more hi-fi approach that marks the change in the band’s sound since their debut album Major Arcana. There’s synth, multiple guitar and vocal parts all wrapped up in a tightly formed pop song.

On Dot X, the theme of knives rears its head again. “Don’t ever touch my blade, you fool, you’ll be cursed for a lifetime”. She’s obviously not messing around, nor is she someone who is gonna let herself be messed with.

Homonovous, whatever that means, is the sneak attack portion of the album. It’s a song perfectly suited to throwing yourself around your room when you need to let off some steam.

After that is Puffer, which to me sounds really similar to one of my favourite Breeders tracks The She. I’m not sure how deliberate that is but the band did share stages with the indie rock legends a few times over the last year. I guess they must have picked something up from Kim Deal and co., intentionally or not.

The next few songs lull a little but I wouldn’t call them filler, just a necessary respite from the sonic attack of the first six.

It picks up again at the tenth track Ginger, which seems to be about watching people getting pissed and high while you’re sober, something I'm sure we can all relate to.

Mister Difficult is the closest the album gets to a break up song, although not necessarily about a romantic relationship. If I was to guess, the song might have to do with the not entirely amicable departure of the bands previous guitarist Matt Robidoux, but maybe I’m reading a little too deeply between the lines. Who knows? All up, it’s a really assured sophomore album and I’m sure it will win them a whole lot of new fans.

- Nathan Kearney.