Written almost entirely between November 2006 and February 2017, What A Time to Be Alive is Superchunk's 11th full-length. The timing and the "demoralizing" 2016 election fueled the band to work on the album, and the North Carolina veterans, filled with rage and anxiety, react to "a pretty dire and depressing situation." The record certainly is not "dire and depressing" to listen to, however. The exhilarating punk energy is accompanied by pop sensibilities, and the group's defiant message is heard loud and clear on tunes like "Erasure." Other highlights include "I Got Cut," Reagan Youth," and the title track. This is the limited-edition pink in clear vinyl, and the version includes a 12"x 24" fold-out poster.

• limited edition pink-in-clear vinyl
• includes 12" x 24" foldout poster
• comes with mp3 download
• music label: Merge Records 2018

reviewed by rei kwondo 02/2018