The Sleeveens - "If I Was a Casual"

Alright kids, shit just got real! 2026 was already off to a hot start, and there's a whole lot more waiting in the wings to get excited about. And now a pre-order for a new album from the mighty Sleeveens turns up? What have we done to deserve this? 

Coming off a debut album that I can call an instant classic without being the slightest bit guilty of hyperbole, The Sleeveens certainly have lofty expectations to live up to. But I have zero doubt that they're up to the task. If the album's first single, "If I Was a Casual," is any indication, the Dublin & Nashville-based band isn't straying far from the mix of old school Irish punk and soulful Tennessee-fried garage rock 'n' roll that has thrilled live audiences and record buyers for the past couple years. It opens the album National Anthem in fully anthemic style — coming on like a firecracker and exhorting you to sing along and pump your first in the air before you even know what hit you. The Sleeveens' music is literally poetry in motion, and here that motion is furious and infectious. The full album releases May 1st on Goner Records, and now would be a very good time to reserve yourself a copy on vinyl. Man, I can't wait to hear this one. The soundtrack to the resistance is gonna be bangin'! 

-L.R.

https://thesleeveens.bandcamp.com/album/national-anthem
https://open.spotify.com/album/4jdoTecMSpByBQGA9T6Wcg
https://www.instagram.com/thesleeveens/

Loose Lips - Live at the Cactus Room

How good do you have to be to pull off releasing virtually the same set of songs six months apart and have your fans ecstatic about it? Well Loose Lips have done it! Live at the Cactus Room was recorded this past October in Melbourne, and it captures Loose Lips fully in their element. Outside of a couple songs that were on the band's first 7", the entire set is from the band's debut album Last Laugh. The recording debuted on Todd Ophonic's WFMU show, and now it's available as a digital album from Bandcamp. I'm usually not a fan of live albums, but this particular one is an exception for me. It's a good-sounding recording (credit must go to Dave Forcier for a stellar mixing job). And hearing these songs in a slightly different form reminds me how great of an album Last Laugh is. I'm not going to give you some hot take about how this "side project" band is better than Josh's and Nadine's main bands. But if you gave me that take, I wouldn't fight you. This recording demonstrates how Loose Lips sound rawer and looser than the typical power pop band but still fill their '60s girl group and '70s glam inspired sound with killer hooks. Is a live digital album from this band worth ten Australian dollars? If you're a huge fan, you bet it is! Could you perhaps expect more new tunes from Loose Lips sometime this year? If you check out Jay's interview with the band over at Shock Treatment, you just might find an answer!

-L.R.

https://staylooselips2.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-the-cactus-room
https://www.instagram.com/stay_looselips/

Mod Lang - Borrowed Time

There has already been considerable acclaim for the the debut album from Detroit's Mod Lang, and every bit of it is richly deserved. Every now and then, a truly great new pop band comes on the scene and treats our lucky ears to something genuinely special. Mod Lang is one of those bands, and the attention it's getting makes me really happy. Released on the ever-dependable Just Add Water Records, Borrowed Time has been out for only ten days and has already sold out an entire vinyl pressing and amassed over 130 supporters on Bandcamp. That's an immense response, and it shows you that something truly remarkable is cooking in the American power pop/pop-rock underground. 

My first reaction to this record was that it sounds like the '60s — but in a way that comes off more timeless than retro. Vocalists/guitarists Antonio Keka and Alex Belfie have crafted ten songs that combine pop-rock classicism with a legit freshness that is all too often missing from music that draws from the '60s and early '70s. This is exciting new music, not cosplay karaoke. The influence of everyone from The Beatles to The Raspberries to The Everly Brothers to (obviously) Big Star is worn on this band's sleeve. And yet you get the sense that this band is looking forward, not backward. So much of that comes down to the superb material. If you're going to write melody-driven rock songs, you ought to write melodies like these that are absolutely intoxicating and twice as memorable. The lead vocals and harmonies hit the spot, and you won't hear a band better equipped to pull off the ringing guitars and punchy bottom end that make music like this so hard to resist. But ultimately what comes through the most is that these four individuals are having fun. They're playing rock 'n' roll, and they're doing it joyfully. This is that rare band that will go over well with just about any music lover aged 9 to 90. Trends come and go, but great songs never go out of style. If you aren't a believer in pop music, Mod Lang will make you one. Hit up Just Add Water and order yourself one of those newfangled compact discs! 

-L.R.

https://modlangdetroit.bandcamp.com/album/borrowed-time
https://justaddwaterrecords.bigcartel.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mod__lang/

The Dahlmanns - Life in Reverse

On this first day of meteorological spring, The Dahlmanns have birthed something fresh and beautiful. Life in Reverse is their first full-length album in more than 14 years. It's part of a brilliant second act for one of my favorite bands. For nearly a month, I've been walking around like a grinning child who's fighting valiantly to hold on to a secret. I could not wait to write about this album! Now release day has arrived. The O.G. of punk rock zine bards has already weighed in, and I am delighted to spread the gospel!

The title Life in Reverse is shared with one of the songs on the album, but at a deeper level it reflects the theme of this LP. Andre and Line Dahlmann, joined by Magnus Gulbrandsen on guitar; Jan-Erik Hoel on bass; and Ole S. Nesset on drums, have taken a deep dive into all the music they've loved from their teen years to present day. If the last album, 2011's All Dahled Up, was a quintessential example of power pop by way of the Ramones, Life in Reverse is something else entirely. It's not quite what you were expecting from The Dahlmanns, yet it sounds absolutely like The Dahlmanns. This is music full of melody and life, and Line's voice has never sounded better. Having covered everyone from ABBA to Men Without Hats to Sylvain Sylvain to Suzi Quatro to Katrina and the Waves over the years, Andre and Line had already made it clear that their musical influences transcended one specific genre. And so Life in Reverse feels like a logical progression in The Dahlmanns' oeuvre. While certainly not a "power pop" record per se, it's a shining example of what great pop music ought to be.  

Kicking off with the 1-2 punch of last year's singles "Leatherboys" and "Dark Side with You," Life in Reverse quickly establishes itself as something quite different from The Dahlmanns. The former is a Detroit-inspired rocker that brings plenty of sleaze and stomp; the latter channels the spirit of Roky Erickson. From there, Side 1 of the album unfolds in a very pop-leaning way. "What's Inside a Mind" exudes gorgeous melancholy and chilly day sunshine. It's truly a perfect pop song. "Sandalwood" is pristine guitar pop operating at full maturity. The gentle "In the Dark" brings more laidback vibes, and then "Ride On" is the album's token shot of power pop by the book. After easing you into their evolved musical approach, The Dahlmanns really let their hair down on Side 2. On the scorching "From the Universe," the band flashes the action rock moves that are practically its birthright. "The Golden One" is full-on modern rock — a song that's moody and haunting yet undeniably powerful. The stunning title track is '80s-ish synth-pop with a modern Nordic indie pop twist. "Fire Fades" feels the like '90s with its bittersweet, heart-on-sleeve jangle. The extraordinary album closer "Old Ghosts Say" is all warm '70s breeze and sun-kissed melody — "A fjord twist on Laurel Canyon," as the venerable Mr. Hutton puts it. 

My personal history of writing about The Dahlmanns dates back nearly 15 years. This is my 14th occasion writing about this band, and it's a joy to observe that they've grown as much as I have since the dawn of the last decade. The 2011 version of me might have been taken aback by The Dahlmanns making a record like this. The current version of me wouldn't have it any other way. Do you really want a band to sound exactly the same when 14+ years of living life and absorbing new influences separate two albums? I get the sense that the band is expecting Life in Reverse to be a polarizing release. But I'm anticipating reviews and (more importantly) fan reactions to be almost universally positive. This is an extraordinary album. When it comes to songwriting, musicianship, production, and vocal performances, this record leaves everything else in The Dahlmanns' catalog in the dust. It's still close enough to power pop to appeal to longtime fans, but it doesn't need to limit itself in terms of musical style. I love hearing this band show that it can rock both harder and softer than expected — and break all sorts of new ground in the process. 

The Dahlmanns, in honoring some of the favorite artists of their lives, have made a record for people who love music. You can feel the love in these songs. And at a time when we need music more than ever as a retreat from the darkness of the world, Life in Reverse will take you to a place of joy and hope. It's available now from FABCOM! Records in the U.S.A. and Waterslide Records in Japan. European releases are coming soon!

-L.R.

https://thedahlmanns.bandcamp.com/album/life-in-reverse-album
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN610rQDw7k&list=OLAK5uy_l_9xqKd7AE9-e1VYog0pI8JO9rCs6XiGg
https://www.fabcomrecords.com/ 
https://watersliderecords.bandcamp.com/album/life-in-reverse
https://www.facebook.com/thedahlmanns/
https://open.spotify.com/album/4TjZ4rBuqmWaQHmjNKyyyl

The Melmacs - "Bad Seeds"

I have a running joke that something is seriously wrong with me if I haven't declared an album of the year frontrunner before the end of February. Well I'm cutting it close this time, but I'll gladly put The Melmacs' forthcoming long player EUPHANCHOLIA in the leader's chair at the moment. The Melmacs already have one of my favorite albums of the decade, Good Advice, to their credit. Now they are poised to surpass themselves. "Bad Seeds," the third single from the new album, arrived a couple of days ago, and it's another banger. Musically, this highlights the way the band has held on to its core punk/powerpop sound yet expanded it with elements of new wave and modern rock. And much like the last single, "Keep On," "Bad Seeds" feels like a pep talk to whomever might be listening. 

"Bad Seeds" is a reminder to take a good, hard look at the people around you and ask yourself which of them are bringing light into your life and which ones might be doing the opposite. "Don't let anyone in the world steal your glitter," says the band, and those are truly words to live by. This song is another inspired performance from The Melmacs. You can hear it in Bimmi's impassioned vocals and the electric energy of the music. And even as the song ruminates on dark subject matter, it ultimately turns it all into hope. By that time the chorus hits, you're shouting along, pumping your fist, and resolving to seize back whatever light has been taken from your life. The Melmacs are on fire! Circle April 10th on your calendar. EUPHANCHOLIA will be out Bakraufarfita Records & Wanda Records in Germany, Spaghetty Town Records in the USA, and Beluga Records in Sweden!

-L.R.

https://themelmacs.bandcamp.com/album/euphancholia
https://open.spotify.com/album/5oOkJye7WxtnisxgkrOpzd
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ9-oy2zwoSPGQhPLLQMuXQ
https://www.instagram.com/themelmacs/

Nick Piunti - Solo...ish

When it comes to take-it-to-the-bank certainties in this rarely predictable world, a new Nick Piunti album being guaranteed to be great is right up there with death and taxes. The man is on some kind of roll. Solo...ish (out now on JEM Records) is his eighth album in less than 12 years, and per usual, he does not disappoint. 

The title speaks for itself. After three albums with his band The Complicated Men, Piunti was looking for a different vibe to suit the more personal songs he was writing. So he sent some bare-bones demos to his pal Andy Reed (The Legal Matters, An American Underdog), who proceeded to build the songs from there. The album was recorded in Bay City, Michigan with drummer Donny Brown (The Verve Pipe) filling out the trio. Joe Daksiewicz from The Complicated Men also added guitar on three tracks and co-wrote a couple of songs. By now, you know what to expect from Nick Piunti. He has a signature style when it comes to his singing and songwriting. In the world of melodic guitar pop, he is the definition of class. And collaborating with a couple of the most distinguished players in the Midwest indie pop scene has truly brought out the best in him. 

Is it hyperbole to call Solo...ish Piunti's best album yet? The quality of the songwriting is exceptional from start to finish. This is Piunti doing what he does best: crafting tuneful, hook-laden gems with exceptionally clever lyrics that balance fascinating storytelling with honest and deeply personal reflections. Songs like "Big in Madrid," "Break Even," and "Handshake Deal" are vintage Piunti numbers and certain crowd-pleasers. "Better Songs," a clever play on the idea that some of an artist's greatest inspirations come in their sleep, is, co-incidentally, one of Piunti's best songs. "One Dimensional" is classic Piunti: a song so self-deprecating that it's ultimately self-affirming. Elsewhere, songs like "Darken My Days," "Bruises and Bandages," and the stunning ballad "Tragic Tragedy" find Piunti breaking from his typical power pop style and absolutely shining. The man is not just a great pop songwriter — he's a great songwriter, period. 

Solo...ish hits a perfect sweet spot between a full band rock record and a one-man singer/songwriter experience. Me telling you that Piunti has managed to outdo himself after all these records would be a little bit like saying the the best pizzeria in New Jersey has just now made its best pizza. What was left to improve upon? But somehow Piunti and Reed (who does a masterful job of producing) have found the secret sauce with this release. The thing is truly flawless, and it leaves me crossing my fingers that we'll have many more years of Nick Piunti making records just like this one.

-L.R.

https://nickpiuntimusic.bandcamp.com/album/solo-ish
https://open.spotify.com/album/4mkvFThUS7uDqeU5B59PaN
https://www.nickpiunti.com/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063708696522#
https://jemrecordings.com/

Private Lives - "Think I'm Coming Around"

So Montreal's Private Lives released a really tremendous sophomore LP last year that somehow evaded my detection. I quite often regret reviews I didn't write, but that particular miss had me feeling like a goalie who lets in an easy one and ignites a deafening chorus of boos. Rarely will you hear a more satisfying cocktail of power pop, new wave, post-punk, garage rock, and punk rock pulled off in such a fresh and contemporary way. How did I miss that boat? On the bright side, I know for sure I won't sleep on the next album! In the meantime, Private Lives' new single on Bachelor Records is a rocket blast of awesomeness headed straight through your ears and into your heart. "Think I'm Coming Around" is very much in the classic punk rock mold. It's driving, energetic, and bursting with hooks. Jackie and Chance play off each other beautifully on this track, and the rhythm section really lays the pedal to the metal. If powerpop/punk is your thing, this song 100% needs to be in your music library. B-side "Television Faces" is giving major punky new wave vibes, and I'm sure not mad about that. The feel is more modern yet still plenty urgent. I love a band that can deliver music with a message and still put the music front and center. Man, this really is a perfect single. My friends in Europe will want to snag a copy of the vinyl. And by all means, if you don't yet own Salt of the Earth, that's an absolute, positive mandatory must-buy!

-L.R.

https://privatelivesmtl.bandcamp.com/album/think-im-coming-around-2
https://open.spotify.com/album/5AHPnHjtov66hLMZsTm70D
https://www.instagram.com/private___lives/

The Genetics - self titled

Well, I've certainly heard of recording an album and then not releasing it for a year or two for various reasons. But how about having an album in the can for nearly three decades? That's something! The debut album from Moscow, Idaho's The Genetics was released yesterday — 27 years to the day after it was recorded. Even if this record stunk, it would be an essential piece of Pacific Northwest punk rock history. Active from 1988-99, The Genetics were the band Joel Jett fronted after Jetpack and before The Flip-Tops, The Minds, and Girl Drink Drunks (who are still the best American punk band you might not know about). The group also included Lucas Jones (The Pills, The Electric Eye), Sarah Epstein (The Hunches, Jimmy Flame & The Sexxy Boys), and Dan Mohr (VIC-20, The Bismark). All these individuals were young and still learning how to play, but this record shows how undeniable their raw talents were. Even if this a record had been made by four people you never heard of, it would still be a prime artifact of late '90s garage punk. It's everything that made the budget punk of that era great: trashy, lo-fi, primitive, and exploding with attitude. I'm pretty astounded that it took this long for these recordings to see the light of day. This is an excellent album that would have been warmly received on the eve of Y2K. Now you can own it on vinyl (limited to 100 copies). Original songs like "It's a Fright" and "Psycho Love" absolutely foreshadow the greatness of The Flip-Tops, and covers of Supercharger and Teenage Head are an absolute blast. If you're a fan of Joel Jett or later '90s garage punk, you will want to move fast on this purchase!

-L.R.

https://thegenetics1.bandcamp.com/album/the-genetics
Sonic Jett Records on Facebook

Miss Georgia Peach - "The Hockey Song"

In honor of the two-time Walter Cup champions The Minnesota Frost and the gold medal–winning U.S. Women's Olympic Hockey team, Miss Georgia Peach has released her own version of Stompin' Tom Connors' iconic "The Hockey Song"! This single is backed by a cover of Sonny James' "A Little Bit South of Saskatoon," a song featured in the movie Slapshot. So we've got ourselves a fully hockey-themed release here, and it was recorded in Eveleth, Minnesota, home of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame! This Travis Ramin production features MGP on lead vocals, Baby Grant Johnson on lead guitar, John Ewing on guitar, Mike Bennett on bass, Ramin on drums, Steve Sokola on piano and accordion, and Germaine Gemberling on background vocals. MGP and her medal-worthy teammates make "The Hockey Song" their own, giving it a full-on country feel with a touch of upper-Midwest chill. Of course the vocals are stellar, and overall this is a wonderfully robust rendition of a classic. MGP took a shot from the point and really sniped it! This makes me wish I could have a six-pack of Surly Hell! If you've worn out your copies of Aloha from Kentucky and Class Out the Ass and are still left wanting more of that '60s/'70s country music magic, "A Little Bit South of Saskatoon" will be everything you want. This is a fun single that arrives at the perfect time, as its release came just one day after the U.S. Women captured Olympic gold — and just two days before the U.S. men play for Olympic gold. A special shout-out must go out to Kendall Coyne Schofield, Lee Stecklein, Kelly Pannek, Grace Zumwinkle, Britta Curl-Salemme, and Taylor Heise — who play for the Frost and the Olympic team! A vinyl release of this single is in the works. In the meantime, the digital release is available from Rum Bar Records just in time for the NHL stretch run. Now that Georgia and Travis have proven themselves masters of the novelty record, perhaps we can convince them to cover "Go Joe Charboneau" one of these years!

-L.R.  

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-hockey-song-ep
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3fmYErr1YHg3VpwiVGkcZb
https://travisraminproducer.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords/
https://www.instagram.com/rumbarrecords/

The Refraints - Badminton

I can't tell you much of anything about The Refraints, a trio out of Bellingham, Washington. But I can tell you this band has made a debut album that's going to be one of my favorite things released this entire year. If you like catchy-as-hell pop-punk with a bit of a late '80s/early '90s indie rock edge and endearingly clever lyrics, Badminton is a must-hear. 

The Refraints are Aaron Rayborn on guitar and vocals, Molly Russell on drums and vocals, and Brandon Juntunen on bass. They've delivered a 10-song, 23-minute long player that's just an absolute delight from start to finish. I love that this band writes relatable songs about love and life that are heavy on self-deprecating humor. At times they delve into classic pop-punk themes like high school crushes, unrequited love, and failed relationships. Elsewhere, songs reflect on more varied topics like intentionally alleviating the stress of college by intentionally contracting mono, dealing with an overbearing mother who continually sabotages your love life, attempting to bathe a cat, and savoring that moment when you get home from work and finally get to take off your shoes. This is the kind of album that you'll want to play on repeat — I played it four times in a row yesterday and could have gone for five if things like eating and personal hygiene hadn't gotten in the way. Silly-smart songwriting is my jam, and these folks are clearly masters of that. And unlike the typical pop-punk band, this group makes it hard to figure out what their specific influences are. The Refraints have their own sound, and it's one I very much hope to hear again. This is an A+ debut! 

-L.R.

https://therefraints.bandcamp.com/album/badminton
https://open.spotify.com/album/2uDECPPhvGtrnDm6NpDgyi

Brad Marino - "Calling Your Bluff"

The man is back, and he's bringing the heat! "Calling Your Bluff" is Brad Marino's third teaser single from his forthcoming fifth proper studio album, Agent of Chaos. He's been doling out something for everyone with these singles. "Voodoo" was probably the most straight-up power pop song he's ever done. "Murder and Violence" was like the Ramones meet the Jesus and Mary Chain (or maybe the other way around). And now "Calling Your Bluff" is nothing more and nothing less than hard-driving, kick-you-in-the-ass rock 'n' roll that'll get your toes tapping into next week. If you loved Marino's early solo stuff or his later songs with The Connection, this tune will be right up your alley. Bobby Davis and Gene Champagne lay down the rhythm with gusto while Marino wails away on guitar and spits fire. This is classic Brad Marino, and I am here for it! We've been waiting more than two years for another Marino solo long player, but all these recent singles have made it clear that our patience will be very much rewarded. Agent of Chaos will be out April 3rd on Spaghetty Town Records, Ghost Highway Recordings, and Beluga Records!

-L.R.

https://open.spotify.com/album/3VqYRPoaYMifcZTD2vbdi3
https://www.facebook.com/bradmarinomusic/
https://www.instagram.com/brad_marino/
https://bradmarino.bandcamp.com/

Ridel High - B-Sides + Demos

When it comes to favorite eras of mine for music, the '90s were hard to beat. Sure, the majority of my all-time favorite music was probably released in the late '70s and early '80s. But the '90s were truly formidable. You had the glory days of pop-punk, the '70s punk revival, early '90s college radio, the new wave of new wave, and the prime years of lo-fi garage punk all thriving. One particularly underrated musical movement was one I still can't quite put a name to. You had a bunch of alternative rock bands with loud guitars and massive hooks. They didn't necessarily identify as power pop, but that's fundamentally what they were. Major labels were quick to snatch them up and even quicker to drop them when they didn't become overnight sensations. Their CDs were fixtures of cut-out bins for a few years and then more or less disappeared from the face of the Earth. And a lot of those releases that fell into the dustbin of history were really damn good. Emotional Rollercoaster by Los Angeles-based trio Ridel High was one of them. If you happen to come across it at a yard sale, in a thrift store, or in the attic of your childhood home, it's worth snagging. Even better, you can head on over to Bandcamp and purchase a brand-new Ridel High release comprised of B-sides and demos. Conveniently, it's called B-Sides + Demos! 

The thing that struck me about B-Sides + Demos is that it's all killer, no filler. This is not one of those cases where an old band is dusting off a bunch of tracks "just because." These songs are hits. Listening to this EP, I can say with complete confidence that out of all those almost famous later '90s alt-rock power pop bands, Ridel High was one of the very best. The band consisted of Kevin Ridel (vocals/bass), Steve LeRoy (guitar/backing vocals) and Steve Coulter (drums/backing vocals). Ridel High signed to Joey Cape's My Records and released its debut long player Hi Scores in 1997. A&M Records later signed the band and re-issued Hi Scores under the title Emotional Rollercoaster (that should have been the first sign that A&M didn't know what the hell it was doing — why change a perfect title?). Once A&M dropped the band, that was pretty much all she wrote. Ridel and LeRoy went on to form Peel, and later Ridel formed AM Radio. Coulter joined Tsar and now runs one of the best music sites on the internet. 

B-Sides + Demos consists of tracks recorded in 1995, 1997, and 1998. Opening tracks "Facelift" and "Mindblower" sound so much like the '90s with their cranked-up distorted guitars and melody-forward approach. It becomes obvious that bands like this (that had mostly contemporary influences) were an important link between "classic" power pop and modern-day power pop. If we didn't necessarily call this power pop in 1997, we certainly do now. "Motorboat" was one of the first songs the band wrote but one of the last it recorded. It's quintessential '90s SoCal geek rock, and it holds up fantastically well. There was a time when I would have wanted to fight anyone who put "Weezer" and "power pop" in the same sentence. Clearly things have changed. "Winona Ryder," which the band demoed in 1995, was later used as the B-side to its first 7", "A Mouthful Of You." In contrast to the more power poppy material on the EP, this is vintage buzzing slacker rock and a forgotten classic of its time. Although with its re-release, maybe we won't be able to call it "forgotten" anymore! If you forgot what it felt like to be twentysomething in the early-to-mid '90s, this song will take you back! The lyrics are hilariously on-point in reflecting on a very specific cultural moment. Given what culture is today, I find myself missing those days. 

Whether you fondly recall, barely remember, or never heard of Ridel High, B-Sides + Demos is sure to be up your alley if you dig quality power pop that will give you all those '90s feels without sounding like it should have been left in the past. The band was wise to focus on quality over quantity, and this is a blast from the past that ought to be fully welcomed.

-L.R.   

https://ridelhigh.bandcamp.com/album/b-sides-demos  
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6jF0L9kxLIeM9WBJ6NRK6U

The High Frequencies - "Winter Themes (Fox's Song)"

Well here's a very pleasant surprise! Hot on the heels of their superb debut album, The High Frequencies have released "Winter Themes (Fox's Song)" — a season-appropriate love song that arrives at just the right time. The holidays and football season are behind us. Meteorological spring is still two weeks away. A little pick-me-up was in order, and here it is! This standalone single from JEM Records is the perfect antidote for the winter blahs. Any time Lisa Mychols starts working her vocal magic, it's a beautiful thing to behold. Those harmonies are to die for, and that melody is majestic! "Winter Themes (Fox's Song)" is a gorgeous, radiant pop song capable of thawing out even the iciest heart. It's absolutely stunning. If The High Frequencies' LP left you wanting more with, consider your wishes fulfilled.

-L.R.

https://lisamychols.bandcamp.com/track/winter-themes-foxs-song
https://open.spotify.com/album/3BIM7gZKYyXA9bADHwPu4L
https://www.facebook.com/TheHighFrequenciesMusic/
https://www.instagram.com/thehighfrequenciesmusic/
https://jemrecordings.com/
https://www.lisamycholsofficial.com/

Michael Des Barres - "Kiss or Kill Me"

How about an absolute scorcher of a new single from the legendary Michael Des Barres? Out on Rum Bar Records, "Kiss or Kill Me" finds the 26th Marquis Des Barres obliterating the notion that we ever become too old to rock. Co-written with guitarist Loren Molinare (The Dogs, Slamdinistas) and co-produced by Richard Duguay (Personality Crisis), this song is a shot of pure glam/punk/rock 'n' roll energy delivering a truly provocative proposition. Its release on the eve of Valentine's Day was no coincidence. "Really the song is an anthem of love," Des Barres notes. "Love me or leave me. You either bring love to life, or you're not living." And man oh man, this song sure does bring love to life. Joined by Paul Ill on bass and Rob Klonel on drums, Des Barres and Molinare kick up a swaggering, hard-rocking racket with a hook that cannot be denied. It's one thing to hear bands pay homage to the heyday of glam rock and proto-punk. But to hear guys who were there when it was originally happening still sound this enthused and inspired in 2026 is quite the thrill. If you aren't already aware of how massive Silverhead ought to have been, go track down its two LPs. But buy this first! While most people may now think of Des Barres as an actor and radio personality, he has never stopped writing and releasing music. And with "Kiss or Kill Me," he has a massive indie radio hit on his hands. The B-side of this single, "I Was Saved In '64," is something quite extraordinary. It's a spoken word number in which Des Barres tells his rock 'n' roll origin story while Molinare and Duguay accompany him on guitar. It's an exhilarating piece of poetry, and of course no one is better suited than Des Barres to turn a spoken word track into a captivating performance.  

"Kiss or Kill Me" is available on vinyl (in three color options) and compact disc from Rum Bar Records. With only 100 copies pressed in each color, you know the vinyl (shipping next month) is going to go fast. Mozy on up to the bar and order yourself a proper jolt of rock 'n' roll!

-L.R.  

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/kiss-or-kill-me
https://open.spotify.com/album/4A0bctbWSgoTL9xONj2Vke
https://michaeldesbarres.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelDesBarresmusic
https://www.instagram.com/mdesbarres
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords/
https://www.instagram.com/rumbarrecords/

Friends of Cesar Romero - Soul Scouts

It's not very often that I listen to a record by a band I've reviewed 14 times before and find myself so completely blown away that I have to retrieve my jaw from the floor and process what I've just experienced. By now, you all know I love Friends of Cesar Romero. It's never a surprise when J. Waylon turns out another A+ release. There's a certain level of expectation that this one-man band never fails to meet, and I have no hesitation in urging any reader of this blog to shell out $103.75 for FOCR's full digital discography. But new album Soul Scouts finds this band soaring to heights that not even I could have foreseen. The sound J. Waylon captured on this release is absolutely ferocious, and that suits these songs to a T. And the passion he pours into the vocals will give you chills. I've never heard FOCR rock with this much intensity — yet the songs have never been catchier or more instantly memorable. J. Waylon is such a fine songwriter that he can move seamlessly from garage rock to power pop to punk rock to jangly guitar pop and always sound uniquely like himself. But the sound of this release is more cohesive, and it's pure fire. This is either the hardest power pop or hookiest garage punk you'll hear all year. Perhaps it manages to be both at once. We know one thing for sure: Johnny isn't messing around! 

Over the course of many installments in the Doomed Babe Series, J. Waylon has made an art form out of writing about heartbreak and the wreckage of love gone terribly bad. No one writes more eloquently or cleverly about loss, longing, and relationship trainwrecks than he does. But Soul Scouts, the 48th release in this series, hits different. J. Waylon is not just spinning tales of woe — he's purging things that have been weighing him down for years. He somehow crams a novel's worth of drama and despair into 18 minutes of music. I've always wondered: Are there many doomed babes in the FOCR universe — or just one? Soul Scouts comes off like a singular tale of doomed romance and one man's long and exasperating quest to find closure. And it's brilliant. It takes a remarkable mind to conjure up a verse like this:

I'd rather starve than share a crumb of your affection
My conscience is as clear as my complexion
Remember the good times when you think of me
That won't be hard with your goldfish memory

Soul Scouts is the kind of album people will hear and become totally obsessed with because they'll feel as if its author is telling their story. It's oddly comforting when another person's tale of despair mirrors your own. It makes us feel less alone in the world. This is a tale as old as time itself: a relationship unravels in the most agonizing ways, and even when it's over, it's never really over. Regret and bitterness linger, and moving on is far easier said than done. I love how the energy infused into these songs reflects the urgency of their lyrics. "The Rapid City Is Boring," which is essentially a prelude to the songs that follow, rips so hard that it makes The Hives sound like The Smiths. "Trauma Blonding" and "Air Raid Freshman" are probably too furious and intense to be called power pop but too contagiously hooky to not be called power pop. Likewise, "A Sonnet for Lee Lazy Horse" and "Gate Around the Classy Apple" are punchy pop songs that will rock you into next week. "Brat Summer Heartache," "Tassels," and "Nurse Midwife Crisis" are vintage FOCR garage pop bangers. Future generations will study these songs and question a society that did not appreciate their greatness. "Bitter But Better" is the powerful statement conclusion this album deserves — not quite delivering closure, but surely getting there. What is perhaps the album's most powerful line is also its simplest: "I don’t miss missing you." 

In the excellent review he wrote for Add To Wantlist, Niek likens the Friends of Cesar Romero Doomed Babe Series to a great television series that somehow manages to peak in its final season. I wholeheartedly concur. I've only been hip to the Doomed Babe project since installment #27, but I would absolutely rank Soul Scouts as the finest achievement in the series. This is the kind of album most songwriters would deliver as the grand finale, but the numbers tell me that there are two more releases still forthcoming. Part of me listens to this record and thinks, "There's no way he can possibly top this!". But the bigger part of me knows to not bet against him.

-L.R.

https://friendsofcesarromero.bandcamp.com/album/soul-scouts-2
https://open.spotify.com/album/3AG8t3egWxGHHy7E7E59q6
https://www.instagram.com/focr
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofCesarR/

The Cheap Cassettes: Ten Golden Greats

I usually don't write "in memoriam" posts for bands, so I won't quite do that for the The Cheap Cassettes in the wake of their recently announced disbandment. I believe what I've written about this band over the years more than suffices for a proper tribute. I'm not in the mood for any sad shit. But given that I was with this band from the beginning, I ought to be there at the end as well. As a public service to anyone who might still be unfamiliar with this band's catalog, I now present to you my top ten all-time favorite Cheap Cassettes songs. This was very difficult to pick just ten tracks from a catalog that included three full-length albums and three 7" records. Damn it, Charles — why do you have to be so brilliant? But I think if you look at what this band put out over the course of the years 2011–24, you could argue, without hyperbole, that this was one of the five or ten best power pop groups of the past two decades. What a body of work! Someday, books will be written about this band (probably by me — ha ha!). And people will eventually pound the table for an overpriced reunion tour. I'm not saying that what lies below is the band's definitive "greatest hits." These are just my personal favorite tracks. But a lot of bands would wish to have a best-of collection as good as this. If you believe, as I do, in power pop as one of the purest forms of rock 'n' roll, The Cheap Cassettes are a band you need to know about, even in retrospect. Alright, let's go! 

10. "Disappear with You" (2016) 

If my memory serves me correct, this was a song that Charles just had sitting around when Malibu Lou wanted a new track for a Rum Bar Records reissue of The Cheap Cassettes' debut album All Anxious, All The Time. Imagine having something this good in your secret stash of songs!

9. "Wreckless" (2013) 

This was a very early Cheap Cassettes song. All of us who had been waiting for Charles to write his own "Bastards of Young" were finally rewarded.

8. "Red Line Blue" (2022) 

I consider this one of The Cheap Cassettes' finest "deep cuts." When I talk about Charles Matthews being not just a great punk or power pop songwriter but rather a great songwriter, period, I can point to this song as a prime example. This is music with soul.

7. "Hung the Moon" (2024)

What was I just saying?

6. "See Her In Action!" (2021) 

Will they someday make physical compilations of the best of 2020s power pop when CDs come back into mass popularity? If so, this will be on a lot of them.

5. "Fade to Nothin'" (2024)

Side two, track 1 from the best album anyone put out in 2024.

4. "My Little Twin" (2011) 

Now we're going way back. I love that this song was never "properly" recorded. The original rough version that was shared with the world via Bandcamp back before anyone else was using Bandcamp remains the definitive version of this stone cold banger.

3. "How I Got What I Wanted" (2022) 

I'm not saying I have pandemic nostalgia, but this song sure takes me back.

2. "Bad Xerox" (2024) 

If your ex ends up with an inferior version of you, that's a win, right?

1. "Kiss The Ass Of My Heart" (2018)

Quite possibly the greatest song ever written by anyone.

There you have it. I know some of you will be outraged about me overlooking "New Gun In Town," perplexed about me snubbing "She Ain't Nothing Like You," and apoplectic about me sleeping on "Worse N' Better." But tough choices had to be made. RIP The Cheap Cassettes. If you like what you've heard, smash the links below for a whole lot more power pop rock 'n' roll goodness! 

-L.R.

https://cheapcassettes.bandcamp.com/
https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/all-anxious-all-the-time
https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/theyll-never-forgive-you-for-pop
https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ever-since-ever-since
https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/see-her-in-action-maxi-single-ep
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6KFfkD34trRG127Dz5CGUq

The Falling Out - Don't

It's probably a little late to be talking about New Year's resolutions. But if I had some, one of them would be to write about more bands from "my area" — which I would loosely define as anything in between the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers (even though I'm technically a few miles west of that). On that note, The Falling Out are an awesome band from Philadelphia, and their new album Don't is one of the most original and interesting things I've heard in a while. It comes to us from the ever-reliable Dummest Records, who also proudly rep the City of Brotherly Love. 

Don't is a not-quite sophomore album from The Falling Out. It's more like album 1.5, as it's comprised of a few tracks the band wrote for its debut LP (but were not properly mixed in time to be on the album) as well as newly remixed versions of some songs that were on the album. The first time I listened to this record, I didn't know quite what to make of it. It doesn't quite fit into any of my usual go-to genres. But that's not a bad thing at all. As I continued to listen, I was really blown away by the quality of the songs and the undeniable appeal of the band. Broadly, The Falling Out sound like garage rock meets reverb-heavy indie/alternative with co-ed harmony vocals and the feel of '60s pop and rock 'n' roll. Sometimes they remind me of X if they'd been into the Jesus and Mary Chain. Other times, I'm hearing a less-campy Cramps. Other times, they aren't too far off from the loud crunching garage/punk/pop I'm always so fond of. The band enlisted EJ Hagen to mix and master these tracks. So the unreleased songs are now ready for the world to hear, and the previously released tracks have been given a slightly noisier edge. It all comes together nicely, which is no surprise given that all these songs were written around the same time. There's a great variety of tunes on this album. Songs like "I Draw the Line" and "We're Alright" work a more controlled pace and really let those harmonies and melodies breathe. "I Don't Believe in Love" and "Dead Dumb and Blind" are full-bore rockers that absolutely pound. "I Don't Wanna Cry" is straight-forward garage/punk/powerpop that totally rules. "Falling," one of the remixed tracks from the self-titled album, is one of the catchiest and most exhilarating rock 'n' roll tunes you'll hear all year.  

If you enjoyed The Falling Out's debut album, you'll certainly enjoy Don't. And if Don't is your first exposure to The Falling Out, it will surely make you want to hear the debut album. This Philly trio has a cool vibe and legit killer songs, and it's certain that I will be following this band closely in the future. Hand-stamped red cassettes are available now from Dummest Records' Bandcamp!

-L.R.

https://dummestrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dont

https://thefallingout1.bandcamp.com/album/dont

https://open.spotify.com/album/07nThsFzRN3W9S1xuPbKlV

https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Falling-Out-100078828697881/

https://www.instagram.com/the.falling.out/

https://www.instagram.com/dummestrecords

https://www.facebook.com/p/Dummest-records-61571409517040/

The Melmacs - "Keep On"

I often think about what it is that draws me to certain bands. Of course The Melmacs are my cup of tea (or better yet, my pint of beer) musically. But beyond that, there's something special with this band. And I just realized it: I've never known another band that puts more love into its music. And I'm not just talking about a love for playing music. I'm talking about using that music to put more love into the universe. New single "Keep On" is a perfect case in point. This song is essentially a pep talk to anyone who might be listening. Its message is simple and powerful: no matter how bad things get, you should never give up on hoping for better things. As long as you believe in yourself, it's never too late to turn things around. And what I appreciate about this song is that it's not really aimed at one person in particular. It's aimed at all of us. How can you possibly listen to this song and NOT feel inspired to be kind to yourself — and to others as well? Musically, this is one of the band's most "pop" songs yet, but it still has that punk energy and urgency to it. Bimmi's sprightly keyboard riff is totally infectious, and the whole song is as well. This is not phony feelgood nonsense — this is a genuine anthem of hope and resolution. The Melmacs are not going to tolerate you quitting on life because they know you deserve better! There are not sufficient words in the English vocabulary for me to convey how much I love this band! The full album EUPHANCHOLIA will be out April, and it's going to be an early contender for album of the year. For now, check out this new single and keep on keeping on!

-L.R.

https://themelmacs.bandcamp.com/album/euphancholia
https://open.spotify.com/album/68tU1H48OjvIOXKTdJUrRK
https://www.instagram.com/themelmacs/
https://www.facebook.com/TheMelmacs

High On Stress - Over/Thru EP

One of my favorite things that Rum Bar Records does is to re-introduce the world to amazing music. The Over/Thru EP is a compilation of four previously released tracks from Minneapolis rebel rousers High On Stress. I can imagine Lou coming across some of these tracks and just knowing this band needed to be part of the Rum Bar family. One connection is that drummer Mark Devaraj is in Cindy Lawson's amazing band. Another is that singer/guitarist Nick Leet sounds like he could be Tom Baker's brother from another mother. And so Lou has assembled a four-song sampler that will turn just about anyone (myself included) into an instant High On Stress fan. These four tracks sit at the intersection of power pop and no-frills heartland rock 'n' roll, and of course that's a sweet spot for me. If you dig hooky, heart-on-sleeve songwriting that doesn't apologize for worshipping at the Church of Westerberg, you will find a lot to like here (and in the band's full catalog). The fact that one of these tracks is a cover of Tommy Keene's "Nothing Can Change You" gives you a further glimpse into the soul of High On Stress. Great find, Lou!

-L.R.

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/over-thru-ep
https://highonstressmpls.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/highonstressmpls/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fBc74O9EQA9InshYMmLjd

Itchy & The Nits - Greetings From...

And they're back! Sydney-based garage punk sensations Itchy & The Nits, authors of my 16th-ranked album of 2024, return with that rare just-as-good-as-its-predecessor sophomore long player. While Itchy & The Nits have graduated from the no-budget minimalist production of their debut EP, they've managed to retain all that charm from that initial release. Out on Anti Fade Records in Australia and Total Punk Records in the U.S., Greetings From... blasts through 12 tracks of quintessential garage punk in less than 22 minutes. Simple, catchy, and fun is a formula that does not need to be messed with, and these three gals pull it off with unbeatable snap, crackle, and pop. Who doesn't love songs about smelly boys, nude beaches, television, and fortune tellers? And what's the only thing better than a rock 'n' roll band with a theme song? A rock 'n' roll band with two theme songs! Even in times as dark as these, an album like Greetings From... is sure to make you smile. It will also have you tapping your toes to a frantic degree and singing along like your life depended on it. Is it possible that the band that gave us classic songs like "Beat It Bozo!" and "Crabs" has gotten even better? My ears tell me the answer is yes!

-L.R.

https://totalpunkrecords.bandcamp.com/album/greetings-from
https://itchyandthenits.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/album/0zgz2F5kH668aSUvdI4rfY
https://www.instagram.com/itchyandthenits/
https://www.facebook.com/itchyandthenits/

The Cynz - Confess

In my mind, one of the hardest things to do in music is to follow up a fantastic album and not disappoint. On 2024's Little Miss Lost, the long-running New York/New Jersey—based band The Cynz absolutely wowed me. This was a proper rock band playing splendidly crafted pop songs and doing it with honesty and heart. I was reminded of a whole bunch of later '80s/early '90s bands that were cool enough to be college radio darlings but accessible enough to get played on album rock radio formats. The album set an extremely high bar for the follow-up to clear. But sure enough, the new album Confess finds The Cynz knocking another one out of the park. This is the band's sixth album and second on JEM Records. Once again, the musical and songwriting partnership between Cyndi Dawson and Henry Seiz has produced a stellar set of tunes that will go over well with just about any fan of melody-driven rock 'n' roll that's packed with lyrical substance. 

Produced by the ever-dependable Kurt Reil, Confess finds The Cynz confronting (in their own words) "trauma and losses." That's some pretty heavy stuff, but that's certainly where this band thrives — harnessing darker, deeply personal subject matter into relatable and ultimately empowering songs. While the title of the record is certainly a play on the band name, it's also an accurate description of the songs themselves. The band's mix of crunching '80s guitars and '60s-inspired psych-tinged jangle could not be any more in Reil's lane, and he ably captures the band's sound in all its multifaceted glory. Confess's track listing includes a couple of fantastic previously released singles ("Woman Child' and "Heartbreak Time") along with a splendidly rocking cover of Tom Petty's "You Wreck Me." These songs blend seamlessly with the new material, which is marvelous in its own right. "My Father's Gun" marries the band's roots in punk rock with a modern and thunderous rock 'n' roll edge. With its soaring hooks and impassioned vocals, "Ghost Rider" sounds like it could have been a staple of later '80s rock radio. "Light the Sky" is the kind of finely crafted classic rock that many people assume doesn't exist anymore. On the more melodic side, "Impossible Ending" and "Don't Give Up" are elegantly bittersweet pop gems — the work of a confident songwriting duo at the top of its game.  

The Cynz are a fine example of a rock 'n' roll band aging like fine wine. Confess demonstrates that maturity and musical growth don't have to equate with losing your edge or going soft. If not a "power pop" record per se, this album does represent what powerful pop music ought to be. It brings together elements of rock, pop, and punk in a way that's reminiscent of the past yet also very "now." From start to finish, this album delivers the goods. Confession is certainly good for the soul, and it's also fertile ground for songwriting inspiration!

-L.R.

https://thecynz.bandcamp.com/album/confess-2
https://open.spotify.com/album/6wf2g2kmbMyuzgPgQcuoec
https://www.facebook.com/TheCynz/
https://jemrecordings.com/
https://www.facebook.com/p/Jem-Records-100063542772461/

TJ Cabot - "Some People Just Ain't Liked" (2026 Real Rejects demo)

As one of the tens of Real Rejects super-fans populating this Earth, I am a firm believer that a TJ Cabot biopic would be must-see TV. If they can make a gigantic Hollywood film about Bruce Springsteen recording demos in his house with Stingray from Cobra Kai, why can't they make one for TJ Cabot that would at least go straight to streaming? Whether or not the lyrics in new demo "Some People Just Ain't Liked" are fact or fantasy, I can totally see someone pitching Ryan Gosling the role of the hapless barista who has been disliked and mistreated his whole life for no good reason and proceeds to exact his sweet revenge through fabricated allegations of a pubic hair turning up in a cup of coffee. Why does no one else see the cinematic gold that lies right in front of us? Look, there's Tyler lying on the floor listening to MOTO. Look, there's Tyler throwing the remains of a gas station sandwich at the TV when the Leafs choke away a playoff series. Who could resist a dramatized account of the time the words "occipital neuralgia" were first scribbled on a piece of paper? They could call the movie Patron Saint of Degenerate Little Shitheads. You are all welcome to steal my idea. All I ask for in return is a six-pack of high quality Canadian lager. 

For musical inspiration here, Tyler turns to early '80s Australia. While the rest of the punk world had hardcore fever, the Aussies were busy trying to re-create power pop in the garage by way of the Ramones. "Some People Just Ain't Liked" marries that vibe to the spirit of poorly recorded and sloppily performed bedroom budget punk. This doesn't aim to be a finished product, but it absolutely cranks. In the hands of the full Real Rejects, it will almost certainly be transformed into a beloved track on the band's next record. In all seriousness, this is actually quite a profound song. Sometimes in life, you run into people who don't like you. You can drive yourself crazy trying to win them over, or you can just say "Fuck 'em!" and get on with your day. Let it be said that if a child cares enough to abscond with loose leaf paper from a classroom cupboard, that sort of intellectual curiosity should celebrated.

-L.R.

https://tjcabot.bandcamp.com/track/some-people-just-aint-liked-2026-real-rejects-demo

Ricky Rochelle - "Can't Erase"

On his new single "Can't Erase," our friend Ricky Rochelle isn't holding back. He's weighing in with full fury on this dark chapter of history we're living through right now. "Bad news swirls all around, " he sings in the first line of the song. "Not in my conscience to avoid it." And so he tears into this real-life dystopian nightmare and all that it encompasses: disinformation spreading like wildfire, the normalization of hate speech, a pointless culture war tearing the people apart, a free society devolving into a police state, and blood spilling as a result of all of it. This isn't just a song —  it's a call to resistance! In collaboration with Billy Pfister, Ricky Rochelle has crafted perhaps his most modern-sounding track to date. This is leaps and bounds past his Ramones-inspired sound of old and heavily reminiscent of 2000s/2010s pop-punk with even a little touch of metal. The hard-crunching sheen of this track definitely amplifies the intensity of the lyrics. Ricky is singing his heart out because he means every word. This is certainly the most mosh pit–friendly track he has ever released, and it's also his most urgent anthem so far. The whole point is to crank up the volume, pump your fist in the air, and get inspired to take action. Last year with Second Layer, we heard all sorts of new sides to Ricky Rochelle. Clearly that progression is still very much on-going.

-L.R.

https://rickyrochelle.bandcamp.com/track/cant-erase
https://open.spotify.com/album/1xQ0QOeglK8ROZRr71W1Nl
https://www.facebook.com/rickyrochellemusic/