Polyvinyl

Artist: The Get Up Kids

Album: Problems

Label: Polyvinyl Record Co.

Reason We’re Cranking It: Unlike the lackluster pay off of waiting for what felt like a medieval lifetime to watch the final season of “Game of Thrones,” the eight-year-long wait for the next The Get Up Kids album was worth the pumping of the pop-punk brakes. The Kansas City-born band has not only returned to their signature sound, but improved upon it by creating a collection of songs that forces fans – old and new alike – to get up and listen.

What The Album Tells Us About Them: People love to put things – and others – into boxes. It certainly happened with The Get Up Kids, who after the release of their 2011 offering, “There Are Rules,” discovered that many of their fans liked them just fine the way they were. The sonic switch-up to their sound with that particular album, their fifth together, confused some long-time listeners, and whether the band took note or not, “Problems” has taken them full circle. Filled with tracks that feel vintage The Get Up Kids, the only problem with “Problems” is that there isn’t more of it to enjoy.

Track Stuck On Repeat: “Salina” is a standout, building slowly towards a memorable chorus that inspires singalongs wherever you’re at – in the office, at the gym, or at the stoplight waiting for the light to turn green.

And that means…

Artist: Diane Coffee

Album: Internet Arms

Label: Polyvinyl Record Co.

Reason We’re Cranking It: Quickly leaping to the top of our still expanding Best of ‘19 list, “Internet Arms” is a meticulously crafted and fully fleshed out magnum opus from Diane Coffee, the alter ego of former child voice actor Shaun Fleming. Having once given life to animated characters on popular Disney series like “Kim Possible” and “Teacher’s Pet,” he has now birthed a beautiful collection of pop songs from the mind of his fictional caffeinated surname, which we recognize as his greatest role to date.

What The Album Tells Us About Them: Prince meets David Bowie. Yes, we know that’s high praise, but if Fleming keeps writing and releasing albums, he has the potential to amass a library of greatness equal to those musical icons who came before. With “Internet Arms” he already has a horse in the race.

Track Stuck On Repeat: We’ve listened to it all, front to back, too many times to count, but some of the notables are “Not Ready To Go,” “Stuck In Your Saturday Night,” and “Doubt.”

And that means…