Natalie Lu’s debut leans into the “pop” side of dream pop, exploring the double-edged sword of yearning with big builds and a combination of delicacy and pummeling sound.

The Detroit punks’ sixth album is a consistent, melodic post-hardcore assault, maintaining a relentless pummeling in defiance to the system as much as it is to their recent pop streak.

The Chicago duo pull the strings taut on their emo-pop debut, adding piano passages, guitar theatrics, and other flourishes to their established college-radio-rock sound.