If you’ve ever thought grunge needed more synths and fewer mopey dudes, Felix Tandem might be the band for you. The Nashville freak-rock trio, consisting of Max Sternlicht (guitar, vocals), Cole Villena (bass) and Andrew Mankin (drums) combines the big guitar sounds of ’90s rockers with earnest, wacky songwriting.

The songs examine boredom, the attention economy and how we project ourselves to the world — how do you hold someone’s attention, and how do you decide what’s worth paying attention to yourself? Of course, one way to hold attention is to crank up an electric guitar and rock out. Debut single “Shoplifter” shows off the band’s big, hooky riffs and its refusal to take itself too seriously.

On their most recent EP, Buyin’ American, the band’s goal was to “thoughtfully yeet the sonics of grunge into the 2020s.” They teamed up with producer Tim Craven (DFA1979, Multi Ultra) and

doubled down on heavy guitars but also embraced swirly synths and dramatic, outside-the-box production. Lead single “Oh Julien” earnestly rocks through the lingering trauma of a childhood bully, while “Buyin’ American” riffs on classic rock sounds to skewer American exceptionalism. “Rumors,” meanwhile, explores self-doubt, lingering eyes, and body dysmorphia.