The power-pop genre first came to prominence in the 1960s. Whilst in some respects the style has died off a little in recent decades, there’s still plenty of new bands and artists performing power-pop music, showing that the scene is still alive and kicking! Don’t believe me? Then check out the review below – every act on this list belongs within the power-pop genre, although each artist is slightly different from the last! Don’t forget to listen to the full playlist at the bottom too!
Review by Jane Howkins
Photo by ndge
ndge – Cajun Twister
Cajun Twister is the first track to be released by ndge this year, and it’s a great song to kick this review off in style! It’s certainly got that old school power-pop vibe, made complete with a bouncy, upbeat rhythm and some cool instrumental effects in the background. The chorus is undeniably catchy, with an array of electric and acoustic guitars following the bass and beat, as ndge croons over the top. There’s something incredibly joyful about the entire thing, sure to brighten up even the coldest of days!
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Centrifuge – The Spell
German band Centrifuge mix a dominating rock and roll sound into their music on The Spell, although the track still has a hint of power-pop contained within it. It’s undeniably atmospheric, seeing the band use some intriguing guitar effects on the verses, pulsating along nicely with the huge drums. The vocals are absolutely on point, captivating anyone who has the joy to listen to this track, bursting out of the seams on the highly anthemic chorus. This is one for those of you into your alt-rock, as well as more conventional power-pop fans.
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Todd & Karen – Bougie Suzie
It’s been a while since we last shared European duo Todd & Karen, and Bougie Suzie is another top notch tune from them! It opens pretty slowly with a subtle palm-muted guitar and the lush vocals. There’s also an organ present in the mix, making for something suitably unique. Everything about this track reminds me of the pop music of the 60s, including the cool percussion style and the doo-wop vocals, echoing in the background nicely as Karen sings over the top. It’s hard to believe that this isn’t some undiscovered Beach Boys gem!
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The Early Swerve – 6 of 12 For You
London band The Early Swerve describe themselves as ‘gangster folk/nu-skiffle’. It might seem like an odd mix, but it all works surprisingly well on 6 of 12 For You. There definitely is an old school skiffle-pop sound to the track, as well as the more obvious folk and ska influences. The song has a really uptempo beat, despite the melancholy nature of the tune, rising up to the anthemic chorus which will have you singing along in no time. It’s one of the catchiest songs I’ve heard in a long time – just try and listen to this without it getting stuck in your head!
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Wotts – there
Ontario indie-pop darlings Wotts have become one of our favourite acts of late, and new single there shows exactly why they’re so beloved! It’s a piano-led track that is clearly inspired by the power-pop bands of the 60s, with a chord sequence even the Beatles would envy! The piano provides the main instrumentation alongside the drums and bass guitar, although there’s also a nice pre-recorded string section that can be heard occasionally too. The vocals are powerful and emotive, really drawing you into Wotts’ world on this pretty number.
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Bosola – Comfort Disorder
Bosola is a four-piece alt-rock band from Newcastle. Whilst their music certainly belongs within the overall rock and roll spectrum, I also felt the songwriting on Comfort Disorder aligned it with the retro power-pop scene. The production quality is pretty raw, but it’s not without its charm, making it all seem very relatable. The songwriting is pretty top notch here, using a nice chord sequence that changes slightly on the chorus, also introducing a new rhythm to keep your interest piqued. Watch out for more from these guys in the near future!
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A Big Yes and a small no – The Truth
The cleverly titled A Big Yes and a small no has created something really beautiful on The Truth. It’s a bit of a slow-burner at first, opening with some pretty clean guitar motifs, as the music builds up in a stylish way. The guitar is the main instrumentation here, but there’s also the occasional xylophone melody at times, making for something utterly captivating throughout. The vocals are pretty darn special too, weaving in and out of the music in a tremendously gorgeous way. This is one of my favourite songs in this review, so don’t miss out!
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Jack Manley – Save Your Own
Kingston-based singer-songwriter Jack Manley has had quite a career within the music industry, with Save Your Own moving in a slightly different direction. As well as the clear power-pop influences, there are also moments of indie-pop and indie-rock, mixing things up nicely. It’s a pretty busy track, with a slew of guitar melodies playing around the rhythm section, creating some wonderful layers of music within this track. Jack’s vocals are slightly distant in the mix, but they’re still pretty good, making this another must listen song from me!
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Sessler/Zeeb – If No One
If No One is well suited to the power-pop genre, created by German duo Sessler/Zeeb. It’s got quite a DIY sound, due to the raw production style, but it’s still a really good track, priming the duo for good things in their musical future! The piano takes the forefront of the tune alongside the vocals here, but there’s also a nice rhythm section and some subtle guitar melodies in the background too – it’s the sort of track that you’ll need too listen to a few times over to fully appreciate it all! Why not give If No One a go below?!
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Nix Dadry – Kiss the Dirt
Rounding this review out in style is British musician and singer-songwriter Nix Dadry with his new release, Kiss the Dirt. It’s got quite a slow tempo and I actually felt the track was quite dreamy at times, appealing to fans of multiple pop sub-genres. The piano and guitars seep through the music in lovely style, building the track up towards the chorus, which sees Nix raising his vocals up a little higher, adding a dose of variety into this slow-burner. More and more instrumentation is added as the piece progresses, enveloping the listener in sound towards the end.
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Poppin’ Off – playlist by York Calling | Spotify