Pup - The Dream Is Over (2016)

The Toronto punk-pop quartet get real on their second album—because they had to. Stefan Babcock’s vocal cords were so shredded that his doctor told him, musically speaking, “the dream is over.” The result is still more group hardcore shout-alongs—but this time they’re about growing up (the raucous-but-tuneful “Dvp”), and they’re noticeably more anthemic (the scrappy-but-intricate “Doubts”). They’re pretty forthright too: When PUP open the album with the confessional “If This Tour Doesn’t Kill You, I Will,” it’s a wonder they ever got to the next nine pummeling tunes.