102 Degrees Production, LLC

Eschewing the sprawling jams of its double-disc debut Whale (2007), South Florida’s The Heavy Pets makes a new, concise statement on its latest self-titled full-length. The spoken word poetics of “Lazy Anna” and unabashed pop of “Osyrus” both confirm THP’s brave new direction, though the band remains true to its roots thanks to the funk-laden “Spin ‘Round” and reggae-infused “No More Time.” At just over five minutes, “Grace Blix” is the album’s longest track, yet the riff-heavy opuses “Xylophone” and “Jackie Bones” will likely morph into extended jams at future shows. The album closes with “Ichabod’s Train,” a slowly meandering ballad that daydreams in escapism, and simultaneously asserts THP’s refusal to settle for more of the same old tunes. Mike Garulli and Jeff Lloyd have successfully helmed their collective to unexpected destinations.