The release of a Secret Policeman’s Ball’s new record, out on MVD Records, was celebrated June 1 with a release show at Wall Street, which was the band’s first performance in almost a year. Titled Teenage Crimewave, the album is ethereal powerhouse rock that sounds like the good parts of the ’80s, ’90s and early ’00s. From track 1, “Brian’s House,” to track 10, “Stairway to Upstairs,” Crimewave is hard rock that’s taken a starry dip in the ambient dream pool with vivid melodies, hard percussion and beautiful, crystalline vocal parts from Nikki Oliff, who shares vocals with guitarist Greg Harp. Oliff’s feminine pipes over heavy guitars are as pleasing to the ear as Kim Deal’s in the Breeders.

Swirls of Jimmy Eat World and Brand New-sort of stuff fit right in with hints of ’80s gloom-rock and goth-rock, like The Cure and Siouxsie & the Banshees, with a modern spin. On a song-by-song basis, the nuances suggest disconnectedness, though the record is clearly a whole. The band channels the dense but melodic rock of Sunny Day Real Estate, like in “They Already Banged,” but sometimes a hardcore edge creeps in as well, like on certain parts of “Sweaters.” Other times there are leanings toward a bleary ’80s synth-pop feel that channels Siouxsie Sioux, like on “Padfoot.” Riffs surge, expand and travel, drums thunder, keyboard parts are captivating and guitars power through the songs with an unearthly sparkle. For people like myself who tend to hear music in color and, perhaps oddly, associate music with a particular element, Teenage Crimewave’s sound is like blue air.

It would be difficult to stamp this thing with any particular genre; suffice it to say Teenage Crimewave is sonically sparkling with influences of hardcore, dark vintage pop and moody alt rock, mixing uplifting melodies, production that’s been gone over with a fine-toothed comb and vocals that perfectly complement the musical backdrop.

For more, visit asecretpolicemansball.com.