On their debut full-length, Western Massachusetts' Speedy Ortiz manage a bit of magic by conjuring the spirits of classic American indie rock, while twisting those ghosts into new shapes. Sweet vocal harmonies run up against gnarly distortion, aided by chunky bass and heavy, fill-laden drums. Occult and supernatural themes run deep through Major Arcana, inspired by singer-guitarist Sadie Dupuis' readings on black magic. Dupuis' knotty and abstract lyrics bring to mind fellow wordsmith Stephen Malkmus, while referencing horror film tropes, chemistry, and neuroscience. Major Arcana's literal translation is "major mysteries," a phrase from tarot cards. "I don't write in a narrative way and am more concerned with use of language than meaning," Dupuis says, "so I like the open-endedness of the title and the way it invites interpretation."