Summer’s nearly over and ‘back to school’ signs beckon but one thing that won’t be in this fall’s lesson plan: heartbreak. Yep, that’s right. Life’s hardest lessons won’t be on the midterm. Now, in the event you skipped class, it was all covered on Aerial’s amazing 2014 release, Why Don’t They Teach Heartbreak in School? If you love dynamic poppy rock and roll then you’re going to love this homework assignment because the whole record is a winner. The album kicks off with some killer rock and roll drums and rhythm guitar on the raucus but poppy “Cartoon Eyes, Cartoon Heart,” a track elevated by its breathtaking harmony vocals, which are really the album’s signature sound. Then the band adds a bit of new wave guitar and the school bell from the Ramones’ “Rock and Roll High School” to the magic that is the clear break-out single, the title track “Why Don’t They Teach Heartbreak School.” I think I sprained my finger hitting repeat on this baby. Then take your pick from all the other great songs here. Other critics have drawn comparisons to XTC with “Japanese Dancer,” I hear a friendly version of the Ramones on “A Great Teenager” while “More Than Alcohol” and “Go With You” are just superb, swinging poprock songs. As an album, Why Don’t They Teach Heartbreak in School? is a cut above: timeless, fresh and exciting.

So you missed its release first time around. So did I. Just head over to bandcamp and get your copy now.