Sucks To See You Doing Better

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Few groups render the pain of breaking up—and subsequent descent into social-media-induced lethargy—with such energy and ebullience as Valley. The title track of the Toronto quartet’s fourth release, <i>sucks to see you doing better</i>, zeroes in on the most awkward moments of the post-relationship grieving process, like working at a fast-food counter when your ex walks in, or seeing them drive by “in the HOV with someone else in the passenger seat.” But the EP’s restlessly amorphous production breaks up the pity party with its shape-shifting melange of ’80s-pop gloss, modern indie sheen, and dance-club thump. And the comforting vocal interplay between frontman Rob Laska and singing drummer Karah James takes the sting out of the self-loathing sentiments on tracks like “nevermind” and “hiccup,” the latter of which is appended with a bonus acoustic version that lets you better savor the heartfelt songcraft at the core of Valley’s hyperactive bops.

via Apple Music