Sunset Valley

The second album from Portland’s Sunset Valley is more of the same aggressive and melodic power pop that made its The New Speed debut such a cracker. Early Wire and Pixies remain lingering influences, but Sunset Valley’s skewed energy makes everything sound fresh and exciting. Slow songs such as “Happily Frozen” and “Doll Hill,” which recalls the warm bath atmosphere of the Pixies’ “Wave of Mutation (UK Surf Mix),” standout; however, some of Boyscout Superhero’s uptempo tracks can move faster than a speeding bullet with equally super results.