Guitar Pop For Now People—Part 18
10 Recent Tracks + Music Reviewers/Publications
Want to escape the dog days of summer?
I’m with you. Modern life is mentally and emotionally exhausting enough before you add in high temperatures and humidity.
Here’s what works for me:
Slide on some headphones
Stick in those earbuds
Crank the volume on the car stereo
Take that turntable for a spin
Music soundtracks our lives, but can also help us briefly break free from the hot weather, head-spinning headlines, and heated discourse du jour.
I’ve always found music to be a very specific kind of escapism—different than watching TV and movies or even reading a book. A good song can easily sweep you away from day-to-day drudgery and reset your mood, but it doesn’t always require your full attention. You can immerse yourself in the lyrics and music, or simply let it play in the background as you float off to “anywhere but here” land.
The ten tracks below are a great place to start. This time around we’ve got great new music by Norwegian power pop/pop punk veterans The Yum Yums, New York newcomers Joy Buzzer, the glam and swagger of Montreal’s Dangereens, excellent Portland alt pop from Jessica Boudreaux, and many more.
⚡️ What Are Your Favorite Tracks Below? 💥
10 Recent Tracks and Music Reviewers/Publications
“Joy Buzzer, an up-and-coming band that was often seen at IPO last year, is back with a rocking single ‘You’d Be Suprised.’ And I’m not surprised—that they got signed by Wicked Cool Records.”—Aaron Kupferberg, Powerpopaholic
“Washington, DC power-poppers Bad Moves are a great example of their city’s historically rich DIY scene at work, and they’re back with some new shit.”—Tom Brennan Stereogum
“I love how it’s 2024 and there are multiple bands trying and succeeding to capture not just the spirit but also the songwriting and sound of a time when most of us had yet to be born or were too young to experience it. I’d count The Lemon Twigs and Uni Boys among those bands, even though they are all reviving different corners of rock-‘n’-roll history. Like those bands, Dangereens are firing on all cylinders, holding nothing back.”—Add To Wantlist
“With power-pop melodies that bring to mind both post-grunge power-pop bands likes of the Goo Goo Dolls and the Gin Blossoms and the mid-80s pop-punk bands like The Replacements, Los Angeles’ Jr. Juggernaut are blazing back with an infectious new single ahead of their new record.”—New Noise
“It’s a hot, hot summer, and that’s wakelee weather. ‘Criminal,’ the Brooklyn trio’s new single, is a breezy indie rock tune that, in a perfect world, you’d be hearing from every passing car’s open windows.”—The Alternative
“The songs themselves are incredibly spirited and substantial, reflecting the emotional clarity of somebody who’s stared down some hard alleyways and come out the other side.”—Rosy Overdrive
“To encapsulate their sound, one might liken it to the electrifying rock of The Midnight Callers intertwined with the infectious pop sensibilities of Hurry. It’s a convincing blend!”—Patrick Donders, Sweet Sweet Music
“Morten's gift is a seemingly inexhaustible supply of perfect pop songs. His brain should be studied by scientists. Morten hasn't progressed to writing about politics or existential angst. He hasn't bothered to learn a fourth chord or infuse his music with jazz influences. He has never deigned to writing a seven-minute song about dragons. Again and again and again, he writes upbeat, catchy songs about love and romance.”—Faster and Louder
“So much of their self-titled debut album almost leaps out of the speakers with high degree of rock and roll ferocity and menace. And then there’s ‘A Lot To Lose,’ a gentle, almost languid jangle affair that floats a dreamy vocal over everything.”—Dennis Pilon, Poprock Record
“The first single is ‘The Future,’ which finds John offering up a no-frills version of the semi-shoegazy alt-rock that he’s been best known for since the ‘90s.”—Brooklyn Vegan
All 10 are good, but I would go with Joy Buzzer, Dangereens and Jessica Boudreaux for my favorites. You are so right about the escape music provides, I know I can always depend on it. Thanks for putting these tracks out there, always ready to hear something fresh.