Bob Mould - Sunshine Rock

This record bops. Much like the title implies, it's a very uplifting album that feels like it'd slot in perfectly with any summer rotation, and I think that's exactly what Bob was going for here. Even when he decides to slow it down a bit, instead of feeling like a sad winter jam, it feels like a nice summer night drive. It's like if early R.E.M. came out of the gates as a straight-up punk band (which is an absolute dream for me as a kid who grew up on 90's alt-rock). My favorite songs, naturally, are the undeniable bangers on the album ("Thirty Dozen Roses", "I Fought", "Send Me a Postcard"). Bob delivers every line with so much passion and energy for an old dude it almost makes me wonder if my own musical career still has a chance to take off (lol nope). An absolute joy of an album.