Borzoi, Exercise (album release), A.L. West, Cow Mangler 5000

With a name perfectly unsuited for search engine optimization, Exercise serves those yearning for the Aughts’ post-punk revival through loose lyrical derisions and twiddling synths. Debuting their sophomore album following the passing of co-vocalist and synth player Keller LeVine in 2020, the foursome strides forward with Ipso Facto. Tickling guitar lines remain amid bold grievances. “It’s so fucking unfair what happened to you,” they echo on second single “Glue.” Chords barrel forward with the spirit of jangle pop, but carry forth a lush atmosphere like LCD Soundsystem. Vocals inflect with slightly more charisma than James Murphy’s sad drone. Call that post-post-post-punk? – Laiken Neumann