Frontwoman Frances Quinlan of Hop Along is the modern-day musical equivalent of Walt Whitman. Her poetic lyrics jump from brilliant and obscure to shockingly relatable in the space of a few notes. “Pale as a banshee sun / Think I should stop checking myself out in the windows of cars,” sings Quinlan on “How Simple,” from the group’s newest LP, Bark Your Head Off, Dog. Her lyrical prowess, paired with the band’s unexpected chord progressions and occasional backing orchestra, results in music that is fearlessly unique and thought-provoking.