In Rotation: Kali Masi - [laughs]

Maybe I'm biased, but there is something so perfect about the word "Chicago" being crooned out in a song at just the right time. It's a tradition handed down from the godfathers of local emo punk, Alkaline Trio. I'm sure someone did it before them, but it's hard to forget the wistful chorus of "I'm Dying Tomorrow." Kali Masi hits a sentimental note about two-thirds of the way into "Freer," just as the song starts to pick up and the fireworks start to blow off in the video. "Under an orange glow / sweet autumn only knows Chicago / Like rents un-payable and your fist through the wall / and the insatiable need to be." It's a picturesque setting coupled with weighty reality. That's the balance struck on much of this record - tonally, lyrically and visually.

"Still Life" builds up from soft delivery to endless staircase, building straight through the end of the song, still reaching for something. It's an impactful opening for the album. The ending of "Still Life" blasts straight into "Paint Me Jade," a shorter, more straightforward punk song. [laughs] never stays too low for too long, usually building steadily to a crescendo, sometimes jumping ahead with quick jabs. The best songs here take their time. It doesn't take many listens to get swept along for the ride.

There have been a number of great local emo punk albums released in recent years. Fans of Sincere Engineer, Retirement Party and Turnspit will find plenty to like here. laughs is out now on Take This To Heart Records. There are forest green w/ white splatter, adderall blue, and "party garbage" vinyl variants. Check those out here. Stream [laughs] below.