Hop Along

Listening to Hop Along feels like watching a master storyteller recount a memory that is still a little too painful to tell. The music is built on a foundation of restless indie rock and emo, but it is constantly interrupted by sudden bursts of folk-inflected melody and jagged, mathy guitar work. It is a sound that feels both lived-in and unpredictable, like a well-worn sweater that is starting to unravel at the sleeves.

What truly sets the band apart is Frances Quinlan's vocal performance. It is a singular instrument that moves from a vulnerable whisper to a throat-shredding rasp without warning. Their melodies are famously complex, full of tumbling runs and unexpected note jumps that mirror the emotional turbulence of the lyrics. The songwriting is dense and literary, often focusing on small, gritty details of poverty, loss, and the strange indignities of being alive.

Start with 'Painted Shut' to hear the band at their most punchy and immediate. It captures the perfect balance between their punk energy and Quinlan's incredible vocal range. From there, move to 'Bark Your Head Off, Dog' for a more expansive, lush take on their sound that incorporates strings and more complex arrangements.