Everyone probably knows about Will Toledo’s moniker Car Seat Headrest by now. Teens of Denial is the first record of completely new material with his new band, after recent extensive touring supporting his semi Matador Records debut Teens of Style. Bob Boilen of NPR Music already cast his pick for “best album of the year” after an early peep of Teens of Denial and said he was infinitely amazed (well something like that) by the guitars on the record.

Opening with zagging and zippy riffs and hammer-ons, “Fill In The Blank”’s catchiness is almost instant with the engaging bursts of fussy rock-pop jabs. Ever so forthright, Toledo breaks open a dirge of unsympathetic life advice (“You have no right to be depressed / you haven’t tried hard enough to like it”) that probably will hit a familiar nerve with anyone who’s been held down with discouragement.

Cereal Pairing: Honey Combs