These poppy math rock and emo veterans put together very technical pop melodies, often with time changes and beautiful interlocking melodic guitar parts, fused together with yelled/sung boyish vocals. Frame & Canvas proves to be one of Braid’s best efforts — by the end of the first song, “The New Nathan Detroits,” you know you will be humming these melodies in your head for at least the next few days. The album continues to mature throughout, providing a sense of heartbreak and sentimentality on amazing tracks like “A Dozen Roses” and “Breathe In.” If you are looking for emo-pop with overflowing energy and highly skilled compositions, this is for you. – Blake Butler