Guitar Pop For Now People—Part 9
10 Recent Tracks + Music Reviewers/Publications
Ten months into 2023 and the endless stream of great new guitar pop keeps flowing.
Once again I’ve turned to a few of my favorite and most trusted reviewers to point me toward the very best new tracks. I’m not sure how they manage to find all these great artists, but I’m thankful for their fantastic taste and dedication.
Like a song? Click through and consider buying some music or merch. Like the review quotes included below? Consider giving that reviewer a follow or like.
Hell, even a positive comment about somebody’s music or writing goes a long way.
But you already know all of that. So, go enjoy some killer new guitar pop. ⚡️💥
What’s your favorite track from the 10 below? What are some other new tracks you would add? Join the conversation in the comments!
Oh…and don’t be afraid to:
“You could, if you were so inclined, argue until the cows come home where The Persian Leaps fits into the musical landscape—is it power-pop, indie-rock, alt-pop, jangle-pop, or poised rock music? Who knows? Who really cares? What doesn’t need to be a subject for discussion is whether ‘Jeane,’ their latest musical missive, is or isn’t the best slice of jaunty, upbeat, sonic sweetness you have heard in a long time. It is; just admit it—end of discussion.” —Dave Franklin, Big Takeover
“The Lunar Laugh has a new single ‘Born Weird,’ with its cool song structure and a neat psyche-pop break.” —Aaron Kupferberg, Powerpopaholic
“I’d also point to a surf-pop song construction, the suburban wandering pop of Fountains of Wayne, and the wide-eyed California inhabited by Jason Lytle as further bicoastal anchors for the sound of Totally Famous, an incredibly inviting and promising power pop debut.” —Rosy Overdrive
“Chicago’s Rolling Numbers are a bit of an enigma. There’s stark 1980s lead guitar work tempered by a variety of subtle synth keyboard interventions, all in support of tunes full of mellow yet engaging melodies. ‘Figure It Out’ kicks things off and here the solid rhythm guitar is very Moody Blues 2.0 or even The Shins.” —Dennis Pilon, Poprock Record
“All four of these tunes are catchy and melody-forward yet still pack a serious punch. One listen to ‘Stimulation’ will give you a jolt equivalent to three cups of coffee. ‘Madam Please’ is sure to be stuck in your head all day and for at least half the next one.” —Lord Rutledge, Faster and Louder
“The opening song, ‘Mercury Girl’ zings and bounces right from the get-go while ‘The Garden’ sounds like it could’ve come straight out of some obscure 1960s West Coast folk-pop band. ‘Patti Girl’ is apparently an obscure cover but it sounds like it could be a Lightheaded original.” —Tim Hinely, Daggerzine
“(‘Forced Perspective’ is) a track that greatly leans on a mixture of late-90s alt-pop and contemporary slacker rock. The song is, without a doubt, irresistible and drunk on nostalgia, an earworm chorus and catchy framework.” —Matt Mitchell, Paste
“These songs explore a wide range of topics, from the complexities of relationships to contemplative self-reflection. Justin still knows how to craft songs with great hooks like the opener ‘Madeline For The Win.’” —Aaron Kupferberg, Powerpopaholic
“Who else other than Geoff Palmer could write a song about FOMO? Even when the term induces weariness, Palmer will have you singing along and shaking your head in disbelief how ‘FOMO' can sound this catchy, this celebratory. It’s an unabashed highlight of a record that already achieves a high standard.” —Add To Wantlist
“Fresh from the release of their well-received self-titled LP late last year, Edinburgh brothers Dubinski are back to flex their fun indie rock prowess on new single ‘Downtown Operation’, a track packed full of fun sonic quirks and the bite and charm that we have come to expect from the outfit.” —Kieran Rogers, Clout
Remember The Lightning—A Guitar Pop Journal, Volume 2
The second volume of our semi-annual music journal featuring some of today's best music writers and talented modern artists on the music/genres that inspire them.
Hadn't heard of most of these; the exception is Dazy, a band that cannot miss.
Of the rest, that Justin Levinson track really stood out, as did the Geoff Palmer.
I'm trying to keep up with all the fabulous power pop you share here....full time job!
Here's my first impressions:
The Persian Leaps - Jeane - love this, I get a Morrissey vibe and a little Smiths vibe too, but just the right amount.
Lunar Laugh - my first thought was Ben Folds-esque, but then that morphed into something else, something wholly itself.
The World Famous - definitely a 60s boppy feel. The surf-pop description feels right, but don't hear Jason Lytle (okay, the higher-pitch vocal maybe, but the FoW comparison is more apt to me).
Rolling Numbers - I do love a band with the word 'rolling' in their name. Of course. I mean Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever! This one has lots going on and invites lots of listens to plumb its layers.
The Uppers - great energy, but nothing about it stands out from the glut of similar pop-punk bands for me. Again, just one listen.
Lightheaded - definitely 60's vocal/guitar sound. I get a bit of a Belle and Sebastian vibe.
Dazy - pretty much love anything Dazy puts out. It's the only band I knew already in your list. This is another gem. Maybe my favorite in the list. This may be a strange comparison, but this song has a bit of a Beulah vibe.
Justin Levinson - definitely got a FoW vocal sound. I assume he's harmonizing with himself? I love the orchestration in this, and the horns are a nice touch.
Geoff Palmer - his name sounded familiar and see that he used to be in The Queers. Definitely got the early '80s power-pop vibe here. And the sing-along chorus is great.
Dubinski - love the synth sound. Very mid-'80s vibe. Maybe reminds me of The Alarm? Not as anthemic though.
Those are my first impressions! Will have to look deeper into many of these artists/bands!