Softjaw “Love Can’t Kill You”
Softjaw made a strong impression with their EP debut earlier this year, but their full-length, ‘Love Can’t Kill You,’ takes things up another notch. They come out swinging with “You May Be Right,” a Cheap Trick-meets-The Sweet rocker that barrels along at full speed and dares you to keep up. The glam-infused “You Won’t See Me Cry” is sticky-sweet, and one of several instant gems. There’s even a touch of the Small Faces’ “Itchycoo Park” in its retro charm.
“Poor Disguise” shifts gears with some terrific key changes throughout the verses, and that’s part of the album’s appeal. Every song seems to jump out of the speakers with an immediate hook. The title track keeps the momentum rolling, delivering Lemon Twigs-style melodic flair with an extra dose of hard-rock muscle. “Halfwit” is another standout, pairing a heavy riff with shifting harmonies that explode into a brilliant blend of rock and irresistible pop. There’s a lot to love here, and the consistency is impressive. ‘Love Can’t Kill You’ is an easy addition to my Top 10 albums of 2026. Don’t sleep on Softjaw. This one’s highly recommended!
–
Letters of Acceptance “Frets”
Kentucky’s Letters Of Acceptance take a winding road through power pop and folk-rock. The lineup of Clint Newman, John Harlan Norris, Scott Whiddon, and Tim Welch clearly has deep musical chops, but the results are sometimes more interesting than immediate. Their sound relies on intertwining guitar lines, homespun harmonies, and lyrics that find both absurdity and mystery in everyday life.
“Clara” gets things off to a promising start, with a bit of Elvis Costello-esque magic and some terrific riffs that build between the verses. “Don’t Forget to Try to Be Happy” takes its time getting there, but its one of those tracks that rewards repeated listens. “In Sunken Style” brings a welcome dose of Tom Petty-style jangle and vocal phrasing, an approach that also works nicely on “Sometimes Sunshine Smells Like Rain.”
The band isn’t afraid to wander into stranger, edgier territory, and that’s both a strength and a weakness. Some of the arrangements meander when they should be moving forward, and the songwriting occasionally gets lost in its own eccentricities. Stick around for “Broken Guitars (and Fucked Up Feelings),” a wonderfully offbeat title that leaves you wondering whether these musicians have a few regrets of their own. The hooks don’t come as quickly as I’d like, but there’s an appealing rough-edged charm beneath the surface. Worth spending some time with.
