Amidst a whirlwind of releases this week, one Bandcamp notification stood out. “Mopar Stars just released Burning Question, check it out here.”
Hailing from Philadelphia, Mopar Stars (Philadelphia) were one of my favorite discoveries of 2023. Spearheaded by Nao Demand (known for his work with Poison Ruïn and Zorn) the project evolved that by the time they unveiled their stellar debut EP included talents like Bill Magger (from Positronix), Alex Karraba (TVO, ICD10), and Evan Campbell (Zorn, Sheer Mag). While these musicians all have played in hard rocking bands, Mopar Stars serves as a conduit for their pop sensibilities. The band infuses ’90s alt pop and indie rock influences with late ’70s/early ’80s new wave and power pop nostalgia. Their songs feel both unique and familiar, underproduced to perfection to remain permanent underground darlings. I’ve now heard ten songs by this band, six from the new EP and four from their amazing debut. I have yet to hear a Mopar Stars track that falls short.
The title track is a wave I could ride all day. It’s followed by the infectious headboppin’ Severed Head. Waters Rising strikes a chord reminiscent of Superchunk, while vocally transports you the heyday of ’80s new wave. Gasoline is the fastest and hardest rocking song on the EP with a highly effective single line hook: “I don’t have the patience for it.” Mopar Stars then eases off the throttle for the dreamy Frogs In The Well, constantly hinting upon becoming something louder. By the time EP closer Green Flames, a song with a grungy chorus, wraps up, I am already strapped in for another ride.
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