Good Together [Exclusive Clear Smoke]

The eternally upbeat Boston-founded band is known for their catchy songs, their high-energy live shows and their singular lead singer, Rachael Price. The band’s latest album, Good Together, finds joy and meaning even in busted-up relationships and personal struggles. The band that penned the happiest heartbreak song ever (“Good Kisser”) refuses to let you stay down for long.

Good Together leads off with the title track, a sunny, synthy portrayal of two erstwhile romantic cads, played in a back-and-forth by Price and keyboard player Akie Bermiss, who find themselves staring at a meaningful relationship for the first time in the lives – “I don’t know if it’s right but I know I’m having fun/This might be the first good thing I’ve done.” “Dance With a Stranger” is up next. With a beat dropped straight off mid-80s pop radio – and inspired by a square dance that bassist Bridget Kearney happened upon during a writing retreat – the sing-along tune encourages engaging that hottie across the room “‘Til they’re not a stranger anymore.”

— American Highways