William Earl Yo La Tengo have been releasing well-loved indie rock since the ’80s, and while their albums are strikingly consistent, an interesting thing happened in February: They dropped one of their best records ever. It’s easy to imagine most other bands on autopilot 17 full-lengths in, but the trio’s “This Stupid World” was a return to form that sharpened their craft to be more exciting than ever. Coming after the ambient work on the band’s experimental 2020 project “We Have Amnesia Sometimes,” “World” snapped into focus with an all-timer guitar freakout on opening track “Sinatra Drive Breakdown” and continued with all of the sly songwriting, catchy hooks and droning dynamics the YLT’s best writing has in common.
