Whenever a beloved band reunites, even their most ardent fans find themselves bracing for an announcement of new music. The effort is appreciated, but rarely worth the time and money spent on it. The Dream Syndicate are the rare exception. Since reuniting in 2012, the modern psychedelic masters have released two stupendous albums—2016’s How Did I Find Myself Here?, and this year’s These Times—that are equal to the seared, romantic visions the group conjured during their initial run in the ’80s. What is present in the band’s work now is a world-weary attitude that seeks out the simple comforts of listening to a record at home and some appreciation for making it to 2019 with their faculties mostly intact.

by Robert Ham