One of the most underrated bands of the early 2000s was Atlanta’s Josh Joplin Group (JJG). Inspired by a love of Ric Ocasek and beat poetry Josh Joplin crafted songs that lyrically were equal parts stream of consciousness, prose and poetry.

The band’s album Useful Music was arguably one of the best releases that year and lead single “Camera One” was the first independent release to reach #1 at AAA radio. The album was produced by Jerry Harrison and found the band playing the festival circuit quite regularly.

Sonically, JJG featured plinky guitars and a twee indie vibe that married radio pop with something akin to The Shins or Matt Pond PA. All of it was warm, welcoming and winning. And then 2005 happened and the band more or less drifted apart. Joplin pursued a solo career, then formed Among the Oak + Ash, a fantastic and criminally underrated side project with the uber-talented Garrison Starr. A solo EP followed in 2013 and just like that, Josh Joplin left music. The self-imposed hiatus was intentional, Jplin wanted to spend time raising his daughter and focused on being a “regular” citizen.

But sure enough the music has called him back. And apparently so did his newly adopted hometown of Chicago, IL.

A decade-plus later JJG has announced their first new record in 12 years. Out April 4 on NarrowMoat/Missing Piece Records GpYr (pronounced: Gap Year) is a reminder that two decades removed from their heyday JJG still has that same warm, winning and welcome slice of indie-rock.

Lead single “Goodbye Berlin” dropped last month and it’s everything one could ask for and more. Co-produced by Grammy-winner Lorenzo Wolff “Goodbye Berlin” is a guitar-driven bop that marries Rhett Miller and Semisonic to create something sweetly affecting and most importantly memorable. Maybe the hiatus was the right thing afer all. Who knows?

One thing’s for certain: April 4 cannot come soon enough!

The tracklist for GpYr is below:

1. Colored Copies
2. That’s It, You Ghosted Me
3. One More Someone
4. Goodbye Berlin
5. I’m With Gorillas
6. Upstate
7. The Iceage Is Over
8. Before The Light Takes Us
9. Seely’s Song
10. Predator and Prey