Letlive’s self-described “soul punk” aesthetic has always tilted toward the punk side of the equation -- that is until the release of If I’m the Devil..., a powerful, politically charged album that transcends any and all traditional notions of genre. While its fiery riff-work and careening rhythms fit snugly within the post-hardcore continuum, the set’s grime-stained funk grooves and sample-laced arrangements are deeply inspired by R&B and hip-hop. A moving indictment of police brutality, “Good Mourning, America” is built from sticky, textural production that recalls Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly. The equally urgent “Nü Romantics” (which boasts one of vocalist Jason Aalon Butler’s funkiest performances) actually sounds like Bruno Mars fronting Bad Brains. But don’t worry, old school fans: Letlive haven’t become a Top 40 band (at least not in any conventional sense). For seriously snotty punk energy simply jump straight to the wildly catchy “A Weak Ago.”