Methyl Ethel’s sophomore LP begins promisingly enough. A stomp beat and grooving bass to “Drink Wine” swaggers ahead of a backdrop of synths. That bleeds into “Ubu,” the Perth trio entwining a danceable beat, obsessive paranoia, and a catchy refrain: “Why’d you have to go and cut your hair?” Then things go south. “Act of Contrition” and “Groundswell,” whose slogging beat and island vibe sound wildly out of place, are clunkers, while the repetitive “Summer Moon” tanks. Stick with the single, “Ubu.” (12:30pm, American Express stage; weekend one only)

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This article appears in October 6 • 2017.

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