Tag: power pop

I Was a King Release Lo Pressure

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Some bands don’t age well, but for my money, I Was a King seem to be aging like the finest of wines; I feel like everything from the forthcoming Follow Me Home has been nothing short of endearing, with every note hitting just the right chord. This brand new single doesn’t waste any time, hitting things right away with this vocal that seems hurried to maximize the melodic nature. Once things settle in, it’s a steady trip around handclaps and the perfect strum, with the vocal urgency always intact. I feel like this song could be the one I play again and again for the duration of this year. Follow Me Home is out on October 7th, and it looks like we’ll all have to get the physical copy on Discogs…as both versions are sold out! Hear why below!

The Persian Leaps Announce Machines for Living

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We’ve long cherished the work of Drew Forsberg and his outfit, the Persian Leaps. This week, the group announce their latest release, an EP titled Machines for Living. Our first sneak peek is this polished bit of power pop, specially built for fans of later Teenage Fanclub and the like. It employs that huge wall of ringing guitars, more sharper than distorted, building a wave of melody to meet up with the vocals. And on that note, there’s just something about the way the vocals are done here, from the “oohs” to the way they drop in on the chorus that makes me feel like this is Drew’s best work to date. Enjoy this jam my friends. Machines for Living is out on October 7th.

2nd Grade Announce Easy Listening

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Some album titles hit the nail right on the head, which appears to be the case with 2nd Grade and their new LP, Easy Listening. Don’t get me wrong, you can hear where those riffs could definitely get charged with power in the live setting, shaking the walls at your favorite venue. But, in the album presentation, the Philly outfit cherishes the pop side of their sound, softening the melody, while still hinting at a constant level of supreme cool. Hooks and soaring vocals are aplenty in this jam, so we’re more than assured the band will bring all that and more when the LP gets released; Easy Listening drops on September 30th via Double Double Whammy.

The Boys with the Perpetual Nervousness Share In the Right

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If you’re lining up your anticipated releases scheduled for the end of the year, then you should surely have The Boys with the Perpetual Nervousness penciled in your “must listen” category. Today we get the third single from the band’s forthcoming LP, and it’s a straight up pop rock gem. The band have always operated with a velvety vocal approach, and that’s balanced out by the fuzzy riffs banging through your speakers, reminiscent of Teenage Fanclub. It feels jittery, teetering on the edge of an panic attack, then opens right up into their melodic pop rock brand, smoothing the wrinkles and winning us over. The Third Wave Of is out on September 9th via Bobo Integral.

Gentleman Jesse Shares Protecting Nothing

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When we began this blog back in the day, I covered Gentleman Jesse quite a bit; his work as a power pop revisionist had my attention from the start, and I felt like Leaving Atlanta was tragically overlooked. So, here we are a good ten years later, and Jesse Smith returns; he quietly dropped Lose Everything last Fall, and now there’s a brand new EP he’s working on for Third Man Records. The EP features a cover of “True” by Atlanta band the Fans, as well as this stomping ripper co-written with Greg Oblivion. Grab the Compass EP over HERE.

The Boys with the Perpetual Nervousness Announce New LP

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What’s that? New music from the Boys with the Perpetual Nervousness? Yeah, I’m in. The group dropped a surprise single back in April, but I wasn’t ready for them to hit me with another single and another album, but I welcome it here! This song begins with a bit heavier guitar vibe than what they’ve brought out in early albums; it feels like a heavier brand of power-pop, ready for some anthemic stadium performances. But, as always, they turn the jangling guitars on, bridging the power pop into some super brilliant melodic chorus work, clearly knocking it out of the park with their charming songwriting. It’s like if Tom Petty was a really big indiepop nerd, and its wonderful. Their new record is titled The Third Wave Of…and its out in September via Bobo Integral.

Stream U.S. Highball’s A Parkhead Cross of the Mind

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Last Friday I ran some great albums for you to stream, but one slipped past me, and I’m aiming to rectify that error by sharing the latest LP from US Highball with you today. We’ve covered hits like “Double Dare” and “Let’s Save Bobby Orlando’s House,” so you should know exactly what you’re in store for by listening; you get a good 12 songs of infectious power-pop that’s sing-a-long ready. Plus, your listen should also keep in mind that you’re also get a little bit of dry humor, which only makes the group all the more endearing. A Parkhead Cross of the Mind is available via Lame-O Records/Bingo Records, but go ahead and stream the whole thing below just for your enjoyment.

The High Water Marks Release Proclaimer of Things

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If you’re looking to uncover a power-pop gem that might not be on everyone’s radar, you should definitely spend time listening to the latest LP from The High Water Marks. Sure, you’re going to get drawn in by the Elephant 6 connection, but you need to really focus on just how great all the songs are inside. I mean, I’m dropping one track below that just feels like the perfect piece of summery pop, rich with this vocal vibrancy that explodes through your speaker hitting you smack dab in the face. Each song’s immediately charming, immediately winning you over, and immediately encouraging you to press play again. Proclaimer of Things is out now!

Sniff Share Horizontal Friend Single

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It’s that time of year when sweet tunes start to dry up but I think we’re still able to find a few hits to bring you before winding the site down and calling it a year. One of those tunes is the newest single from the UKs Sniff, the follow-up to their stellar Sniff EP. It’s the sort of tune that walks the finest lines between power-pop and traditional pop-punk, with the song’s latter half really exploring the meaning of pop on its own terms. There’s this earnestness to the tunes that’s absolutely undeniable so I hope you’ll spend some time enjoying this sweet jam today!

Rural France Share Sling Yr Hook

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Fresh off the release of the killer “Stolen Beer,” Rural France return with the second single from their forthcoming RF record, and to no one’s surprise, it’s another fuzzy pop banger. Despite these heavy riffs, this song is pure pop through and through; it’s just bleeding melody all over your floor as it pours through your speakers. Honestly, this is some of the best no frills, solid pop rock n’ roll you’re going to hear this year. The chords ring in your ears in just the right spot, guitar solos cascade in quickly then fade away to reveal sneak peaks at the melodic underbelly, and every time you press play you’re going to wear a grin. RF will be released on October 29th via Meritorio Records.

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