Ryan Hamilton has lived many lives as a musician. For years, I’ve covered Ryan’s records at Power Popaholic, so it was great to finally sit down with him and talk about the road that led to his outstanding new album, “Haunted by American Dreams.” It was rated one of my favorite albums this year – read the review.
We discuss leaving the music business, finding his way back, and turning life’s hard truths into sharp, heartfelt songs. If you love honest songwriting, big hooks, and stories of second chances, this is an interview you won’t want to miss.
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.
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.
New excellent EPs here! Can I just say that Ryan Hamilton looks nearly unrecognizable with his hairless head and face, but his latest single “Come To Jesus Moment,” has that comfortable melodic hook. Welcome back, Ryan! Next, John Wlaysewski has been mastering the genre mashup with Late Cambrian and his new EP ‘How I Bleed’ is killer! A gutsy combo of funk, rock, pop that would make Lenny Kravitz jealous. Triples is the project of Toronto songwriter, guitarist, and actor Eva Link. Her catchy melodies reflect influences from Guided by Voices, Liz Phair, Courtney Love, and Juliana Hatfield. Space Jaguar is a folk-rock pop combo that got my attention. Check out “Bright Future” and “Go Home,” it’s a little bit like The Lemonheads. LA band Laughing Week has a harder power pop sound with a nostalgic vibe that credits Ultimate Fakebook. I loved “Conspiracy” with the great opening lyric, “You said they poisoned the water and made all the frogs turn gay.” Finally the retro catchy surf guitar of TheDracu-Las. I dare you to listen to the first track and not sing along to all the “doo-be-doo-be-doos.”
Ryan Hamilton was a bit of a nervous wreck with the release of his latest album, based on his social media. Originally scheduled for March, it was a little late. He need not worry, as this release is amazing. Based on his experiences growing up in an extremely conservative religious household, Haunted By The Holy Ghost doesn’t pull any punches. Start with the opener “Asshole” a confession to all those one-night stands he bedded, but the title track is a perfect modern power pop song. It’s all about accepting religious guilt with a catchy sing-along chorus.
The positive vibes of “Overdose” and “Paper Planes” really deliver the hooks. Both songs boast catchy melodies that Ryan effortlessly puts out, all he needs is a “moment and a microphone.” With his songs, Ryan adds more of his personal anxieties about romance in the slow-burning “Broke My Heart, Fixed My Vision” and “Absence Of Love.” The sequence of songs tells a common story of regret for being that “Asshole,” but it’s not really redemption — it’s more “Yeah, Whatever.” It loses a little direction towards the end as “Sad Bastard Song” recognizes that bitterness stays with you long after a breakup. Overall this is a fantastic album, and hopefully, others will recognize this. Makes my top ten for the 2023 list and is Highly Recommended.
Bennett Wilson Poole “I Saw A Star Behind Your Eyes, Don’t Let It Die Away”
The veteran rock trio of Robin Bennett (Dreaming Spires, St Etienne), Danny George Wilson (Grand Drive, Danny & The Champions Of The World), and Tony Poole (Starry Eyed & Laughing) are back. Where their debut record was very much like a Crosby Still Nash-styled, mellow California folk pop, this new album is even more hippy-dippy. The Byrdsian jangle is in full swing with the catchy “I Saw Love” with its solid three-part harmonies. Not unlike The Travel Wilburys, with an emphasis on late-era Beatles psychedelia.
These guys each take a verse on the George Harrison-like “Waiting for the Wave to Break,” and the smooth “I Want To Love You (But I Can’t Right Now)” is a soulful recall of glory days. Other highlights include “Ready To Serve,” and the gentle “Heart Songs.” While it meanders through the latter tracks, there is enough here to make this Highly Recommended.
July is here and the AC is on full blast. This is why I like to check on new music from old friends. French artist Any Version of Me does his best Brian Wilson tribute with “Away,” perfect for the beach. If you’d like classic pop greatness, you have the talented Dana Countryman offering up a FREEBIE that you can’t miss; made of assorted selections from his catalog, and “Summer Sand” is another sweet Beach Boys-styled gem. It’s been a long time, but Eric Barao has a delicate ballad that just tugs at your heart; “Whoever You Are.” Aussie rockers Anatomy Class impressed me with its anthemic rich melody, fans of Lemonheads, Swervedriver, and Pixies will adore “Expo 88,” and another band from down under TheValery Trails celebrates the summer with “Jaisalmer,” a bouncy rocker stocked with guitars and horns. Seattle’s Supercrush seriously reminds me of Superdrag and other late 90’s power pop on its perfect EP Melody Maker. and finally, Ryan Hamilton is back and he tells you to write your troubles down, then fold your worries into “Paper Planes.” Hope it flies far!
