Music City and Congratulations

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Music City

Music City “Welcome To Music City”

Dublin born Conor Lumsden has always chased the perfect pop moment. With The Number Ones, he built a tight unit where every member mattered and every song snapped into place. Now with Music City, he steps out on his own and swings for something extra special.‘Welcome to Music City’ took six years to finish. What started in Dublin stretched to New York, London, and even Konk Studios, once home to The Kinks.

“It’s Alright” is a bouncy pop melody that sets the mood and sets the blueprint up. A great hook, glittering chorus, and lean lyrics that stick after one spin. “When The Day Comes By” and “Do I?” feature clean melodic rock without any bloated production, or studio trickery. And the shimmering harmonies on “Little Favour,” and tight “Pretty Feelings” show that Conor’s influences include Big Star, and several other 70s bands without sounding like an homage. No filler here at all, and “Common Sense” leans into T-Rex styled glam, with jagged riffs, catchy chorus and the addition of vocalist Tina Halladay. Granted some songs are almost “too pretty” like the dream-like “Autumn Song,” with its wall of backing vocals and jangle. Overall a great debut, and Highly Recommended.

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congratulations

Congratulations “Join Hands”

This is a bit off the beaten path, but Brighton, UK band Congratulations has various musical styles, creating a fun and energetic sound. While it defies genre definition, its got plenty of catchy hooks and rhythmic rock. The opener “Nevergonna” has lots of danceable funk, and lead singer Leah Stanhope fearlessly runs from Madonna-like coos to Gwen Stefani shouts, all while the chaos swirls around her.

“Fought 4 Love” has a wicked glam riff that dares you it stand still, blending 80s pop with a chorus that plants itself in your brain for days. “This Life” and “Dr. Doctor” both have electro-pop-funk that mixes Prince and Devo together almost seamlessly. What keeps it together are those hooks. No matter how far they stretch, they circle back to melody (most of the time.) The middle of the album goes off the deep end a few times. “Hollywood Swingers” shifts all over the place, it’s so quirky and loud it can’t be ignored. If you have a spirit of adventure, check this fun album out.
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Jim Basnight and The Junior League

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“Smug

Jim Basnight “Under The Rock”

Jim Basnight has been active since the late 70s, first with the Moberlys and later as a solo artist, helping shape Seattle’s pre grunge indie rock scene. His new album, ‘Under The Rock,’ began in 2023 with sessions in Athens, Georgia, organized by bassist John Carlucci. Back in Seattle, Basnight and longtime co producer Garey Shelton expanded the recordings with new harmonies and guitar work from his current band. Inspired by the results, they cut more tracks in 2024 and 2025, rotating players and building a deep pool of material.

As a longtime fan, I hear the spark of his early records paired with the control of a seasoned writer. He opens “All Summer Long” with the feel of a lost John Fogerty tune, driven by Basnight’s steady swagger. “Get It Out” hits fast and hard,  and the country tinged “Other Woman” and “So F’ed Up” lean into sharp storytelling and hooks that stick after one listen. The solid “Think Of Me,” and the heart felt ballad “Ones That Got Away” are also highlights here. If you care about strong songs, tight playing, and records you will spin more than once, this one delivers. Highly recommended.

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“The

The Junior League “The Moon Neither Noticed Nor Ignored”

Joe Adragna returns as The Junior League with another batch of melodic guitar rock that hits the mark. He has built a track record for consistency, and this set keeps that streak intact. “Sunset Park” and “A Matter of Time” feel like instant staples, built on clean jangle, strong melodic lines, and Adragna’s weathered vocal, which gives the songs lived in credibility.

“Just As Long As I Have You” leans into earnest mid tempo territory, layering guitars around a direct love lyric. “The Naked Lunchbox” taps into the smooth, harmony rich sound of Eagles in their late 70s prime, without sounding retro for the sake of it. “Never Quite The Same” raises the bar with a more detailed arrangement, subtle backing harmonies, and tasteful slide guitar that adds depth.

Adragna pushes harder on “I Hate To Break It To You,” where distorted guitar and punchy percussion give the track a blues punk edge. He pivots back to bright, guitar driven pop on “Until You Get It Right,” proving he knows how to balance grit and melody. The emotional core runs deepest on the extended “Forget Forget Me Nots,” which closes the album with weight, reflection and great guitar riffs. This stands among his strongest efforts and deserves your attention. Highly recommended and an early nominee for 2026.

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Video premiere and more stuff: The Smug Brothers, Ridel High, Pop Boomerang, The Happy Somethings, Sr. Pez, Pop Boomerang

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The Smug Brothers are back with a new album, due in May titled ‘Gravity Is Just A Way To Fall’ check out the premiere of a new video by skate legend Dave Ackels. You can pre-order the album here. Now some FREEBIES! Next before Tsar became a big Hollywood power pop band, Ridel High was there, and here is a new digital EP of remastered ’90s demos. Next, UK band The Happy Somethings deliver happy folk pop that have us “Thinkin’ ‘bout good times.” and from Elche, Spain this psychedelic pop band Sr. Pez is just “Walking In Circles.” Finally, I am happy to report the return of Pop Boomerang Records compilations, this new one is ‘Electric & Eclectic Rarities Volume 2.’  It bundles up previously unreleased songs, demos, live versions, rare B-sides and a huge array of covers. Enjoy the snow melt!






Feb Freebies, singles, eps: Banda AL9, The Black Watch, Log Flume, High On Stress, John Lebhar, Vista Blue, Left Letters

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Now that Banda AL9 is signed to Wicked Cool Records, I am so glad these talented brothers (Matheus Khouri & Thiago Khouri) from Brazil will get more exposure. Here they are doing a classic Kurt Baker & Wyatt Funderburk power pop gem. The Black Watch is back with a new single in advance of an LP, and this is a band that ages like fine Cabernet.  Another band that slipped under the radar 2 years ago was Log Flume from Philly, PA. They have a great sound and we’ve got a new single that rocks (and hopefully a new LP on the way). Next I am loading you all up with freebies: RumBar Records delivers a great EP by Minneapolis band High On Stress. I loved the Tommy Keene cover “Nothing Can Change You.” This was a surprise, as Massachusetts musician John Lebhar caught my attention with the hooky “Can’t Quiet Explain,” and he’s got a lot great music (not all power pop) and its worth your time checking out his catalog on Bandcamp. A familiar voice is always comforting, and Ramones like riffs of Vista Blue are no exception. Left Letters are another band that blends indie pop, fuzz core and melody. Enjoy the goodies and remember uncle Frank’s advice; don’t eat the yellow snow!



Guv and The Format

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“Guv"

Guv “Warmer Than Gold”

Ben Cook, you know, the guy behind Young Guv and those power pop albums, has switched things up a bit. He is calling himself just Guv now for this new album ‘Warmer Than Gold’. He went back to London last year, hanging out in pubs not too far from Brixton where he grew up and the whole trip got him thinking about stuff for this record.

I think it feels like he is trying for that brit-pop, slow core vibe here. Kind of swinging away from the bedroom stuff on GUV IV from a couple years back. There are some grooves that stick in your head, sure. But overall, it is less about those tight power pop songs we used to get from him. The opener “Let Your Hands Go,” it reminds me of the Charlatans or The Happy Mondays. Then “Blue Jade” and “Thorns in My Heart,” those have more guitar sounds, akin to The Cure or Stone Roses in spots. “Out of this Place” and “Oscillating” are great little tunes you can really groove to. The tracks that lean on rhythm, they feel kind of basic sometimes, like he was just messing around without pushing it further. Still pretty enjoyable, and we hope Guv comes back to those melodic earworms a bit more. Despite that, it remains Highly Recommended.

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The Format

The Format “Boycott Heaven”

Next to Adam Levine (Kara’s Flowers, Maroon 5) it can be argued that the most successful power pop alumni from the early aughts would be Nate Ruess. Not only did Ruess score big with his Grammy winning trio, Fun, but he’s written or worked with tons of modern pop superstars (Ke$ha, Pink, etc). But things all started for Nate and instrumentalist Sam Means with The Format in 2001. And now he’s back in a reunion of sorts, and they have not lost a step.

Sounding more polished than earlier efforts, Nate starts with “No Gold at the Top,” a foreboding guitar riff with harmonic hum, that builds to a dramatic screaming end. “Holly Roller” is another solid track that marches along to a chorus about the fleeting effects of fame. But “Shot in the Dark” and “Right Where I Belong” really shows his perspective as an adult, all this from the dude who wrote “We Are Young.”

For longtime Format fans, ‘Boycott Heaven’ might sound unexpected, as the album leans harder, louder, and more openly emo than anything in their catalog, with Nate Ruess embracing renewed intensity. Sam Means’ melodic instincts still shine, Ruess’ voice still cuts, and the songwriting sticks. This album proves the return mattered, and it earns its place alongside their best work. Highly Recommended.

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