Audacity

Over the span of two full-lengths and culminating with their third, Butter Knife, Audacity have accomplished a feat many of their ilk often take their entire careers to achieve: they've learned to relax. This youngish Southern California foursome have traded the brat-like punk that easily found a home on Burger Records for an engaging listen that's about as patient as loose, jangly power pop can be. The transition from their snotty early releases to the alarmingly aware Butter Knife is seamless, as tracks like "Rooster" showcase their brooding build, but not before ending with a ramshackle SoCal punk breakdown. The whole thing maintains a positive stance; Audacity have crafted a potent bunch of tracks and never take themselves too seriously. "Pick Slide" continues the build with a party-ready rhythm, but it certainly feels much longer than the two minutes it clocks in at, while "Hole in the Sky" sustains a hook for so long that it could be confused for a radio-ready '90s slacker jam. Long confined by their surroundings in the chaotic Burger Records scene, Audacity learned that as a band, they can still let their love of Nuggets show, though it can take longer than two-and-a-half minutes to express that affection. Just don't expect them to brag about it.