It’s only February, but there’s already a big favorite for 2019’s indie rock comeback of the year: Pedro the Lion, the full-band vehicle of renowned songwriter David Bazan. From 1998 to 2004, Pedro recorded four excellent albums full of emo-tinged folk-pop songs about faith, politics, confusion, and self-doubt before Bazan shelved the name to record and tour as a solo act. But with the January release of Phoenix—the first Pedro the Lion album in 15 years—the beloved band is officially back. Phoenix finds Bazan as self-reflective as ever, wielding sturdier song arrangements and backed by a band that knows how to rock.

by Ben Salmon