One of the most unlikely comeback stories in indie rock continues with the fourth self-titled album from American Football, the intricate and sweeping post-emo band fronted by eternal Midwestern journeyman Mike Kinsella. Much like their self-titled sophomore effort from 2016, American Football is a reunion release of sorts, following the band’s indefinite hiatus as a result of drummer Steve Lamos briefly departing in 2021. With Lamos back in the fold, the quartet draw inspiration from the darker corners of their catalog on American Football, from Kinsella’s unflinchingly honest lyrical self-examinations to the dazzling latticework of guitars that stretches across the album. As with 2019’s self-titled third release, a few guests pop up throughout as well: Turnstile’s Brendan Yates lends his distinctive vocals to “No Feeling,” nu-gaze wunderkind Wisp throws down on “Wake Her Up,” and in a particularly inspired moment of cross-emo kismet, Caithlin De Marrais of post-hardcore legends Rainer Maria appears on the dusky, sparkling “Blood on My Blood.”