Slice of life lyrics strung together with emo guitars and mid-’90s girl grunge sigh, Van Mary hearkens back to the days of Mazzy Star and Juliana Hatfield. Fuzz-drenched tunes like “Dead” showcase sharp songwriting instincts with equal doses of angst, vulnerability, and honesty.

Van Mary’s new single, “New Mexico,” growls with discontent over political policies, societal dogmas, and gender inequality across a thumping indie rock stomp and moody guitar work. Vocalist Emily Whetstone’s aggressive yet earnest tone sells the strife, making every line hit home.

-Bill Tucker