Because of its infectious melodies, catchy hooks, and guitar-driven rhythms, power pop has always had a special place in the hearts of music fans. This year saw a significant shift, with performers openly embracing a diverse range of inspirations, changing the genre’s sonic terrain. From indie rock to jangle, electronic elements to noise pop, the once-narrowly defined genre has broadened its horizons and welcomed new sound aspects. There is still a contingent of retro or Beatlesque rockers on this list, but they are not the majority here. Only one album here has not been officially reviewed in this list (you get a “no-prize” if you can spot it!) The EP list will be coming later this week! I look forward to a busy 2024.
- The Summertimes “The Summertimes”
- The Anderson Council “The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon”
- Kurt Baker “Rock ‘N’ Roll Club”
- The Small Square “Ours & Others”
- Erik Voeks “It Means Nothing Now”
- Cupid’s Carnival “Rainbow Child”
- Tamar Berk “Tiny Injuries”
- Mike Viola “Paul McCarthy”
- Uni Boys “Buy This Now!”
- Ryan Allen and His Extra Arms “The Last Rock Band”
- Rinehearts “Full Bloom”
- The Tearaways “And For Our Next Trick”
- Ryan Hamilton “Haunted By The Holy Ghost”
- Ransom and Subset “Perfect Crimes”
- Hurry “Don’t Look Back”
- The Midnight Callers “Rattled Humming Heart”
- Lemon Twigs “Everything Harmony”
- Nick Frater “Bivouac”
- The Pink Spiders “Freakazoid”
- Dave Kuchler “Love & Glory”
- Thomas Walsh “The Rest is History”
- Meyerman “Happy To See You”
- Justin Levinson “Collamer Circle”
- Mothboxer “Breathe”
- Onesie “Liminal Hiss”
- Duncan Reid “And It’s Goodbye From Him”
- The Rallies “It Must Be Love”
- Lunar Laugh “In The Black”
- Eyelids “A Colossal Waste Of Light”
- Brad Marino “Grin & Bear It”
- Somerdale “Let’s Get Started”
- The Flashcubes “Pop Masters”
- Salim Nourallah “A Nuclear Winter”
- The Blood Rush Hour “Sanity Fare”
- Diners “Domino”
- Parthenon Huxley “As Good As Advertised”
- Semisonic “Little Bit of Sun”
- Arthur Alexander “…Steppin’ Out!”
- Vanity Mirror “PUFF”
- Miss Chain & The Broken Heels “Storm”
- Dave Cope and the Sass “Killer Mods From Inner Space”
- Steve Stoeckel “The Power of And”
- Ed Ryan “A Big Life”
- Dropkick “The Wireless Revolution”
- Lane Steinberg “Headspace”
- Star Collector “Attack, Sustain, Decay... Repeat”
- The Radio Field “Don’ts and Dos”
- Chris Church “Radio Transient”
- Paul McCann “Alter Ego”
- Super Cassette “Continue?”