Mo Troper and The Blusterfields

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Mo Troper

Mo Troper “Today I Played My Guitar And Sang”

Mo Troper returns with an album that turns personal struggles into some of his strongest songwriting yet. The cover features what appears to be a psychological evaluation for Asperger syndrome or ADD, setting the stage for an honest, self-examining collection of songs. Rather than becoming weighed down by introspection, Troper transforms anxiety, frustration, and self-doubt into irresistibly catchy power pop.

This is Troper at his most tuneful. His familiar bedroom pop aesthetic receives a fuller treatment thanks to producer Jon Titterington, who adds warmth and dimension without sacrificing the intimacy. Opener “The Best Seat In The House” bursts forward with layered jangling guitars and an irresistible bass line.”The Feast of Fancy” follows with crunchy guitars and a loose acoustic break that captures the feeling of everything threatening to come apart. The emotional high point is “When She Says My Name,” a gorgeous slice of sunshine pop that owes an obvious debt to Brian Wilson’s ‘Pet Sounds’ era. The lush harmonies and soaring horn arrangement make it one of Troper’s finest songs to date. Elsewhere, “Let’s Get Back To Music” sums up the album’s central idea. Music becomes the only dependable escape from an increasingly chaotic world. Yet Troper keeps his feet on the ground, delivering one of the album’s best lines, “To make the hits we take some hits along the way.”

Troper never hides behind clever lyrics, though. The bitterness of “Rotten” and “Moscow To The Ground” exposes genuine frustration, giving the album emotional weight beneath its bright melodies. With the Beach Boys-flavored “That Could Leave A Mark,” Troper proves once again that the sweetest hooks often carry the deepest bruises. ‘Today I Played My Guitar And Sang’ balances infectious melody with vulnerability, humor, and self-reflection. Highly Recommended.

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The Busterfields

The Busterfields “Thoughts & Prayers”

The Blusterfields refuse to treat power pop as a formula. On ‘Thoughts & Prayers,’ the North Carolina band mixes jangle pop, punk, psychedelia, and classic guitar rock into a collection of songs driven by sharp melodies and even sharper opinions. The album title itself mocks the routine response of politicians to gun tragedies.

The swirling opener “Any More” and “Big Celebration” celebrates a future with our dark cynical present. Fans of Andy Partridge and XTC will recognize the strong harmonies, inventive guitar work, and hook-filled songwriting, while touches of garage rock and psychedelic textures give the album extra depth. Every arrangement feels purposeful, with ringing guitars, confident rhythms, and memorable vocal harmonies carrying the message. Highlights include the raging “Never Been to Detroit” and the ultra-catchy “Mr. Secretary.”

The Blusterfields never let the lyrics overwhelm the music, delivering songs that work whether you’re focused on the message or the melodies. From the grim scenario of an ICE raid in “Daddy’s Not Coming Home Tonight” or the takedown of the administration on “Here Come the Idiots,” it mostly works. Even listeners who don’t share the band’s politics will have a hard time ignoring the craftsmanship. Highly Recommended.

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Ryan Hamilton and Onesie

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“Ryan

Ryan Hamilton “Haunted By American Dreams”

Ryan Hamilton returns with renewed purpose. After 2023’s ‘Haunted By The Holy Ghost,’ he stepped away from music to focus on family, radio, podcasts, and other pursuits. The break proved temporary. As Hamilton explains, “‘Haunted By American Dreams’ is really about chasing something you were told would save you, and realizing it doesn’t. It’s the echo of small-town promises, late-night highways, and all the ghosts of who you thought you’d become. I didn’t want to make a perfect record. I wanted to make an honest one, even if it rattles a little.”

That honesty drives the album. Hamilton explores persistence, disappointment, and resilience without losing his gift for memorable hooks. The opener, “Dreaming Screaming,” sets the tone with crunchy guitars, soaring melodies, and an infectious chorus. “Over Again” carries the same melodic punch while embracing the idea of starting over. “That Girl” is built for singalongs, with one of the album’s strongest choruses, while “The Come To Jesus Moment” recalls Hamilton’s earlier work, blending his Texas roots with sharp power pop songwriting.

The performances feel lived in, the lyrics avoid easy answers, and every song serves the album’s central theme. There is no filler here. Fans of Tom Petty, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Adam Schlesinger will find plenty to admire. This album stands among Ryan Hamilton’s strongest releases and marks an impressive return. Easily makes my top 10 list for 2026.

Amazon


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“Onesie"

Onesie “Way Thousand Bump to the Sky”

Brooklyn’s Onesie continues to push its sound forward. What started as quirky slacker rock from the trio of Ben Haberland, Rob Lanterman, and Jason Bauers has grown into a confident, finely tuned band that improves with every release. The opener, “World Stepped On A Mirror,” immediately grabs your attention with its shimmering guitar textures, driving bass line, and irresistible momentum. “Twilight Years” follows with a thick wall of fuzz and a descending chord progression that lingers long after it ends.

As precise as the performances are, Onesie never sounds mechanical. “Tryptophantastic” shifts effortlessly through melodic twists that recall Sugarplastic and XTC, while “Heckscape” delivers the band’s trademark offbeat humor and melodic charm. The hooks may not hit with the same immediacy as 2023’s ‘Liminal Hiss,’ yet the songwriting feels stronger from start to finish. The album moves through a wide range of moods, peppered with clever pop culture references and unexpected turns. Like Onesie’s previous releases, it rewards repeated listens, revealing new details and deeper connections each time. Highly Recommended.

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Power Popaholic Interview: Log Flume

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Log Flume

Some bands make a great first impression. Others get even better the longer you listen. Log Flume manages to do both. After reviewing their outstanding new album, “Go Where The Money Goes,” I sat down with the band to talk about how they first formed, the songs, the creative process, and how they developed this new LP.

In this interview we discuss:
• Favorite tracks from the album
• Recording and production
• Musical influences, from classic power pop to alternative rock
• What’s next for Log Flume

Have you heard “Go Where The Money Goes”? Check out the album review here.

 

July 4th Musical Goodies! Hurry, Popboomerang, Telematch, Orchidelia, Trash Man

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Happy 250th Birthday, USA. So let’s get some great music to celebrate. Philadelphia band Hurry has a new LP that breaks next week, and we’ve got the video for “Moving After You” featuring Gerard Love (Teenage Fanclub). A great song, and check out more prior to release. Next, the 4th compilation of Aussie artists with “Shake Yer Popboomerang” with awesome singles from Hexham Heads, Icecream Hands, The Valery Trails, and many more. 22 tracks of sugar powered gems curated by Scott Thurling is a guaranteed good time. Next up, a freebie from Madrid with Telematch. Heavy guitar crunch and fast tempo is the name of the game on “Stump” and “We Are Here” and they skillfully get your attention.

A lot of artists on Bandcamp release music year after year, often with little sign of growth or artistic evolution. Then there are the few who keep refining their songwriting, performances, and production. Those are the artists who always grab my attention. Orchidelia is a great example of this, self described as “Sheffield’s most happening power-pop quintet.” Gradually they develop and ‘Sundial’ shows a solid balance between melody and attitude, check out “Forget Me Not.” Another example is Trash Man. Alex Mojaverian (aka Trash Man) has been toiling away on songs of existential dread and emotional coping with a style akin to early Weezer. Alex has really sharpened his songwriting on this new EP and each song is a gem. Listen and you will find treasure in this “trash!” Enjoy.

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Log Flume and Belfast

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“Log

Log Flume “Go Where The Money Goes”

Log Flume opens ‘Go Where The Money Goes’ with the youthful energy of “Dynamic” and “Far From You,” a rush of buzzing guitars, handclaps, and irresistible melody. It grabs your attention immediately, but the album’s biggest strength reveals itself over time. As the songs unfold, the band settles into a more confident, mature sound without sacrificing the urgency that made them so appealing in the first place.

“Necessary Evil” brings to mind the melodic warmth of Teenage Fanclub, while “Got This Feeling” sparkles with jangling guitars and perfectly placed female backing vocals. “Up By 9 O’Clock” stands out as one of the album’s highlights, built around an infectious riff and a chorus that sticks after the first listen. The title track, “Go Where The Money Goes,” rides a bright, ringing guitar sound that perfectly complements its hook. The jangling “Get The Picture” is another standout, packed with hooks and rewarding repeat listens, while “Every Single Day” closes things on a more reflective note, pairing a moody lyric about songwriting that recalls classic Weezer. Log Flume has found an impressive balance between youthful intensity and seasoned songwriting, and enough variety to reward astute listeners. Highly recommended.

Amazon


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Belfast

Belfast “Belfast”

Inspired by the late 1970s DIY noise pop celebrated on the Powerpearls compilations, Belfast delivers a scrappy, hook-filled debut that’s easy to embrace. The project is the work of Joe Quine (Pist Idiots) who wrote and recorded these songs in his Sydney bedroom, giving the album an authentic, homemade spirit. The songs reflect life’s ups and downs, and the opener “Forms From My Dreams” makes the strongest first impression, pairing infectious punk attitude with buzzing guitar riffs that immediately grab your attention. “Spoonful of Your Love” follows with rough-hewn percussion and a ragged melody that feels effortlessly charming.

There are echoes of The Clash, The Saints, and The Velvet Underground throughout, with sharp hooks hiding beneath the distorted guitars, gruff vocals, and loose production. The middle of the album becomes a little repetitive, but the momentum returns with the urgent “Kissing On The Mezzanine” and the layered vocal textures of “You Are Tonight.” This isn’t a polished record, and it isn’t trying to be. Its rough edges are part of the appeal. If you appreciate raw, heartfelt punk pop then this is for you.

Bandcamp


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