Perfectly executed power pop is something I'll always embrace, and so Flutter's debut EP is literally music to my ears. Based in Denver, Colorado, this foursome hits that sweet spot where '70s power pop classicism meets '90s indie/alternative sensibilities. When You Love Somebody delivers six tracks of well-crafted pop that's full of jangly guitars, pretty melodies, and top-quality hooks. Clearly this band has a deep love for the timeless sounds of Big Star, Badfinger, The Raspberries, etc., but it also possesses the musical and songwriting chops required to keep this sort of sound fresh in 2025. At six tracks, this release is just the right length. It allows for a more varied listening experience than you'd get from a single, but it still leaves you wanting more. There's not a sub-par track in sight. Songs like the title track and "5 Star Review" sound like radio hits in an alternate universe. "I Don't Wanna Be Sad Anymore" is a nod to some obvious influences, but that doesn't make it any less glorious. I was intrigued to see that a band from the western part of the country would write a song called "Wizwit" and was thrilled to discover that it's essentially the best Teenage Fanclub song in years. Everyone talks about the art of the three-minute pop song, but a six-minute pop song is an even higher level of difficulty. Great job, fellas! When You Love Somebody is a super-promising debut that will deservedly be a fixture of many power pop fans' best-of 2025 lists!
