A jangling power-pop appeal shows on “Betty and Steve,” a strong new single from Ubiquity Machine. Mixed by Grammy-nominated engineer Martin Cooke, the track comes via the band’s forthcoming album. The Rabbit’s debonair initial vocals depict a contrasting vibe, from a factory’s stink and over-working into a drive for a vacation “for a weekend to recover and recharge.” A relatable, working-class enamoring takes hold throughout the verses, ascending into responsive vocal layers and hooky guitar jangling into the central chorus. The duo of The Rabbit and Howard Rabach describe the track as refl ..read more

Peppy guitar swipes and gorgeous string infusions lead a fantastic production on “Rich Kidz,” a new single from Phoenix-based artist SURESON. Power-pop, chamber-pop, and rock elements converge with delectable immersion, excelling in both the title-touting string infusions and jangling verses. “The rich kids get what they want,” the central hook exudes, traversing infectiously into observations — “they’re driving their sports cars, a trust fund baby,” — that do more than hint at a class divide. Plucky vocal effects past the one-turn meld with the strings and vibrant acoustics for a sound fond ..read more

Los Angeles-based band The Toxhards ask “Should We Get A Dog?” with their latest single, meshing a charismatic rockabilly throwback with a raucous power-pop fervency. Written during the band’s 2023 fall tour, the track is inspired by meeting many canine friends during those travels. “We’d crash on the couches of several different friends and family all over the country, and we met many of their dogs that we just loved,” they explain. “The reality of not being able to have a dog ourselves while being touring musicians was a bit sad, and “Should We Get A Dog?” was born out of weighing the pros ..read more

“For a Band I Once Loved” is a no-frills, charismatic rock success from Short in the Sleeve. The Memphis-based band traverses from a throwback alt-rock steadiness into a more vibrant chorus, exuding a power-pop engrossment. “Like lightning from the speakers, and euphoria from the stage,” the vocals let out there. “We all got old, and you got boring.” Thereafter, a hooky bridge — “sometimes I pull one of those records,” — diversifies just enough, cementing the track’s infectious qualities with this structural switch-up and ensuing debonair guitar emphasis. “For a Band I Once Loved” is a stella ..read more

Toronto-based rockers Quirks enamor on newly released single “Hollywood Was Right,” infusing bright organs, radiant vocals, and nostalgic guitar twangs for a melodic appeal. The track represents the second release from their forthcoming self-produced album. The wordless vocal snippets and chugging guitar line opens with a fun ’80s throwback charisma, fondly reminiscent of a dreamier Squeeze. Lead vocals emerge thereafter with a calmingly melodic composure. The various elements, and particularly the vocals and organs, assume a more vibrant quality into the title-touting hook — capped off by a ..read more

Swedish act Ginko Bugs‘ strong songwriting is on display with “Close In October.” An outpouring of relatable emotion swells within an effervescent power-pop and rock intertwining, alongside feelings depicting a hope for a love’s return, while the other partner wishes to move on. Initial lyrics point to a new beginning of sorts — “when she leaves it’s probably over,” — and an ensuing yearning. The hopeful “we can stay as one,” line kickstarts a chipper guitar-fronted radiance, with string-laden injections furthering a majestic rock and chamber-pop fusing. The “feelings grow much stronger,” ly ..read more

Settle Down by Deer Friends Psych-pop duo Deer Friends strut a hooky, harmonious rock and power-pop cohesion on new single “Settle Down,” a single from their new album, out December 15th. The Grand Rapids-based project of Seth Boles and Tommy Muldowney show a charming immediacy in the timeless-feeling production. The “I wanna settle down with you,” yearning gears into a peppier power-pop suaveness, marked by the “stay up all night,” sequence — which struts a charming throwback rock disposition, as talk-y guitars linger in between. “Settle Down” has us firmly anticipating the duo’s new album ..read more

An infectious new-wave and power-pop composure emanates within “It’s not the first one that counts,” a new single from UK-based band Noise Factory United. Their second single offers a poignant introspection on modern perils, including AI’s increasing prevalence and the greater need for political literacy in an algorithm-directed age. There’s a particular eloquence in the “why am I so allergic to me?” refrain — reminding of the correlation between social media identity and self-worth for some. Ardent guitar pulses and reflective bouncy synths drive into that refrain, following the “algorithms ..read more

“She’s Going to Mars” is a power-pop earworm Rocket Kings, a band from Reading, UK. “She’s going to Mars,” the steady vocals emit alongside chirpy guitar pulses, as responsive vocals enamor with a higher-pitched whimsy. Playful guitars complement space-set lyrics — “zero gravity, she’s a cosmic star,” — into the chorus’ replay-inducing vibrancy. The “one giant leap,” bridge continues the shimmering, amiable qualities into the “she’s going to Mars,” hook. The band, formed in 2016, wrote the track as a follow-up of sorts to a song on their previous album, Everyday Adventures. “Bex is an astrona ..read more

A peppy power-pop infection persists throughout “Falling For Yourself,” the latest single from The Over Unders, a trio from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Suave vocals and a bass-heavy envelopment traverses into breezy guitar jangles, soaring into the title-touting chorus — replay-inducing in its simultaneous effervescence and “loving someone else,” heartache. Infusions of synths and “single string surf guitar” complement subject matter pursuing the notion that “the true root of infidelity is not love, lust, or falling out of love – it’s narcissism.” The trio of guitarist/vocalist Sam Hellman, drumme ..read more