What You Don't See

With its 2011 debut, Under Soil and Dirt, The Story So Far used its supergroup powers to record a near-perfect punk-pop album that left fans rabid for more. Those anticipating it with baited breath will be pleased to know that the two-year wait has paid off. “Things I Can’t Change” opens 2013’s What You Don’t See with a noticeably more taut attack in musicianship. The kinetic mechanics between drummer Ryan Torf and bassist Kelen Capener are vacuum-tight: half a minute into the song and they’re clicking with clockwork precision. Lead singer Parker Cannon sounds even more confident and assertive here and throughout What You Don’t See. In the standout cut “Small Talk,” he howls "Tell me how you think it's gonna be/I'll bite back with broken teeth," and we have no choice but to believe him. William Levy and Kevin Geyer’s guitar work should also be commended. They blast winding call-and-response riffs that recall Sunny Day Real Estate's 1994 opus Diary while instilling their own innovative flourishes. “The Glass” returns emo to its credible beginnings.