Cult

the New York pop-punk stalwarts' best album to date. It was written during a tumultuous year in which frontman Anthony Raneri experienced the deaths of his grandfather, stepbrother, and stepfather, in addition to getting married, having a child, and building a house. The resulting album doesn't address these subjects directly, but it seethes with emotions: frustration, angst, love, yearning. "Something's Wrong" is an affecting meditation on generational malaise, "Hate Me" an explosive kiss-off to a jilted lover, "Stuttering" a statement on the intersection of art and commerce. Sonically, Bayside don't overextend themselves, but restraint is Cult's secret weapon: choruses are perfectly tucked between tidy verses and clever bridges, guitar solos are succinct but effective, and copious backing vocals lend a sing-along quality to the proceedings. It all coheres flawlessly on "Time Has Come," a note-perfect piece of pop-punk down to its group-sung "woah!"s. It's as catchy, fun, and exhilarating as anything Blink-182 ever produced.