There is a very underrated four-piece from Australia called Eddy Current Suppression Ring, a cheery power pop band that has not left my iPod in the two odd years since my friend Emily told me how great they were, how much they'd uplift my spirit with their soulful, euphoric hooks and momentous chug-chug-chug. Royal Headache, also from Australia, had their self-titled debut album out May 8 on What's Your Rupture produced by Eddy Current's Mikey Young, and they're poised to get just as stuck in my head. "Pyschotic Episode" is lyrically about heartbreak and the insanity of a relationship breaking up, but the sound is vibrant and full. There's so much nihilism built into most punk music that you can forget how great guitar riffs can make you feel if they're used in the right way. Royal Headache will be our new daily reminder of good things.
