Way back in the almost sane times of Summer 2016, Blue Smiley released Return. It’s a quick 9-track album that’s everything you could want from a Philly band. Its noise and fuzz that doesn’t really give a shit.

Each briefly-named one word track offers more than that, however. Within the powerful tunes, and My Bloody Valentine-vibes lies a careful, pop framework. If all these contrasting names sound odd to you, you’re on the right track. Blue Smiley is undeniably weird. But somehow songs like “Idk,” “Spin,” and “Bird,” get at the heart of some powerful feeling.

It’s emotional almost in the sad-boy Alex G way, but louder, with blaring (buzzword of 2016) “textured” guitars and unrestrained drums. All of the power is brought together with haunting vocals that add a perfect layer of noise, and takes you back a few decades.

A little bit of weirdness may be the key ingredient for Blue Smiley’s second album ever Return. Whether it’s a throwback or something completely new, I hope there’s more like this to come.