Anxiety is such a crucial component of Parquet Courts’ work. They frequently rail against—or are disillusioned with—the outside world. This feeling reached its peak on their last full-length (released under the moniker of Parkay Quarts), Content Nausea, which saw the band target two major topics: the inundation of content in the smartphone age and the struggles of urban living. The latter is always a topical subject for any band trying to survive in New York, but Parquet Courts impart a different version of the “us against them” narrative. The opposition isn’t always any one person or entity, but perhaps human nature or habit.

Thematically, Parquet Courts’ newest, Human Performance (Rough Trade Records), makes huge strides. As opposed to reporting moments of societal distress and anxiety, this album has personal, emotional moments. Best case-in-point, the title track is Parquet Courts’ first about heartbreak—or perhaps the first they’ve written that’s this devastating. Singer/guitarist Andrew Savage sings like he’s holding a blank expression, “Ashtray is crowded, bottle is empty, no music plays, and nothing moves without drifting into a memory.” It’s a vibe not unlike that of Protomartyr’s “Cowards Starve,” and the band exhibits a newfound finesse in making a song that’s cathartic on an individual level.

Human Performance also stands alone in the Parquet Courts’ repertoire for the balance it strikes between the band’s established sound and one that’s fluid. One can still hear their prescriptive barking, jagged guitar, and swift tempos on roughly half the record, particularly “I Was Just Here,” “Already Dead,” and “Dust.” Though those songs are strong, they’re not unexpected. The other half has a nebulous atmosphere, as on “Outside,” “Berlin Got Blurry,” which actually has a chorus, and the Velvet Underground–leaning “Steady on My Mind.” Parquet Courts have seemingly found a way to release the tension of their previous records, and Savage clearly makes a concerted effort to sing more than yelp.

Human Performance’s effectiveness is a result of Parquet Courts’ integration of approachable emotion into their already sturdy style. (It’s no surprise that every band member contributed songs to this album instead of just Savage.) In a way, this record could be described as their The Agent Intellect. Like Protomartyr’s album, Human Performance has a relatability that finally lets Parquet Courts’ fans in.