Ryan Hamilton “Haunted By American Dreams”

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.

Amazon

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Onesie “Way Thousand Bump to the Sky”

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.

Amazon

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Log Flume

Some bands make a great first impression. Others get even better the longer you listen. Log Flume manages to do both. After reviewing their outstanding new album, “Go Where The Money Goes,” I sat down with the band to talk about how they first formed, the songs, the creative process, and how they developed this new LP.

In this interview we discuss:
• Favorite tracks from the album
• Recording and production
• Musical influences, from classic power pop to alternative rock
• What’s next for Log Flume

Have you heard “Go Where The Money Goes”? Check out the album review here.

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A lot of artists on Bandcamp release music year after year, often with little sign of growth or artistic evolution. Then there are the few who keep refining their songwriting, performances, and production. Those are the artists who always grab my attention. Orchidelia is a great example of this, self described as “Sheffield’s most happening power-pop quintet.” Gradually they develop and ‘Sundial’ shows a solid balance between melody and attitude, check out “Forget Me Not.” Another example is Trash Man. Alex Mojaverian (aka Trash Man) has been toiling away on songs of existential dread and emotional coping with a style akin to early Weezer. Alex has really sharpened his songwriting on this new EP and each song is a gem. Listen and you will find treasure in this “trash!” Enjoy.

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The post July 4th Musical Goodies! Hurry, Popboomerang, Telematch, Orchidelia, Trash Man appeared first on Powerpopholic.

Log Flume “Go Where The Money Goes”

Log Flume opens ‘Go Where The Money Goes’ with the youthful energy of “Dynamic” and “Far From You,” a rush of buzzing guitars, handclaps, and irresistible melody. It grabs your attention immediately, but the album’s biggest strength reveals itself over time. As the songs unfold, the band settles into a more confident, mature sound without sacrificing the urgency that made them so appealing in the first place.

“Necessary Evil” brings to mind the melodic warmth of Teenage Fanclub, while “Got This Feeling” sparkles with jangling guitars and perfectly placed female backing vocals. “Up By 9 O’Clock” stands out as one of the album’s highlights, built around an infectious riff and a chorus that sticks after the first listen. The title track, “Go Where The Money Goes,” rides a bright, ringing guitar sound that perfectly complements its hook. The jangling “Get The Picture” is another standout, packed with hooks and rewarding repeat listens, while “Every Single Day” closes things on a more reflective note, pairing a moody lyric about songwriting that recalls classic Weezer. Log Flume has found an impressive balance between youthful intensity and seasoned songwriting, and enough variety to reward astute listeners. Highly recommended.

Amazon

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Belfast “Belfast”

Inspired by the late 1970s DIY noise pop celebrated on the Powerpearls compilations, Belfast delivers a scrappy, hook-filled debut that’s easy to embrace. The project is the work of Joe Quine (Pist Idiots) who wrote and recorded these songs in his Sydney bedroom, giving the album an authentic, homemade spirit. The songs reflect life’s ups and downs, and the opener “Forms From My Dreams” makes the strongest first impression, pairing infectious punk attitude with buzzing guitar riffs that immediately grab your attention. “Spoonful of Your Love” follows with rough-hewn percussion and a ragged melody that feels effortlessly charming.

There are echoes of The Clash, The Saints, and The Velvet Underground throughout, with sharp hooks hiding beneath the distorted guitars, gruff vocals, and loose production. The middle of the album becomes a little repetitive, but the momentum returns with the urgent “Kissing On The Mezzanine” and the layered vocal textures of “You Are Tonight.” This isn’t a polished record, and it isn’t trying to be. Its rough edges are part of the appeal. If you appreciate raw, heartfelt punk pop then this is for you.

Bandcamp

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Ben Auld “Loserdom”

Ben Auld, out of Norwich UK is has a neat little album here. Ben works alongside guitarist Conor Etteridge, drummer Duncan Baker, and bassist George Witty. The “Opening” track is an ADD medley of different melodies and time signatures, all sounding like a short mix tape that skips around. Obvious influences are Weezer, Teenage Fanclub, and Tony Molina. “Chalice” marches forward into that melodic breach. The guitar solos here sound like a variations of a classical (Bach?), then it runs into the deep fuzz chords of “Red Bandana.” Like Molina or 2nd Grade, the songs are very short. Most under 2 minutes.

 The twin guitar attacks keep things moving along with a restless energy like on “Talking Dog”, while Auld’s soft vocal harmonies keeps everything grounded. The feedback signals the next song, with those guitar riffs giving the record its identity.  In a few spots, a soft acoustic guitar starts the melody, I enjoyed this on “Long Before I Felt The Grace,” where it really comes to a great crescendo. But each song does a fine job here, despite the quick timing and jarring shifts in tone. Sit through a full listen, it’s highly recommended.

Amazon

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Various Artists “Just Look Inside The Cover – Songs Of Pete Ham”

The late Pete Ham, songwriter and co-founder of the legendary power pop band Badfinger, has remained remarkably prolific through posthumous releases, with eight albums issued. “Just Look Inside the Cover” is the second tribute album dedicated to his songwriting. Its predecessor, “Shine On,” focused on the songs Ham wrote for Badfinger’s studio albums. This new collection places the spotlight on the exceptional demos Ham recorded, but never fleshed out into full songs.

With 22 tracks, several artists do an excellent job bringing Pete’s compositions to life. Mike Delevante’s “A Lonley Day” is a great start with his warm inviting vocals, and  several well known performers include Mimi Betinis (Pezband), Bill Lloyd, and Tobin Sprout (Guided By Voices) lend solid entries here. My favorites here are Eric Dover (Jellyfish) doing a perfect “Leaving On A Midnight Train” and Rob Bonfiglio really shines on the gem “Hand In Hand.” The last living members from the Badfinger family also contribute; Bob Jackson doing the title track, and an 80-year old Ron Griffiths sings “Take Good Care Of My Baby.” While this was a labor of love, some artists here just are just not that good, as well as unknown to me. But for Badfinger and Pete Ham fans, this is an essential part of your collection.

Amazon

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