Diners - "The Power"
In recent years, power pop has enjoyed a triumphant resurgence in independent music. Nilson, Rundgren, and Wilson are the reference points for a new generation of highly talented songwriters. Bands like The Lemon Twigs sound like they arrived in a time machine from mid-70s Los Angeles, their rich and clean analog recordings extracted straight from a studio on the Sunset Strip, while others like Mo Troper dip their melodies in more acrid sonics, thereby highlighting the perfectly imperfect 4-to-8 track recording format. Much to the delight of guitar pop enthusiasts, there are countless others who draw influence from the golden age of AM radio, including Los Angeles’ Diners, who are rapidly ascending to the top of the pop heap thanks in large part to their latest single, “The Power.”
Blue Broderick, the seasoned songwriter behind Diners, seems to be diving head first into the genre with this gorgeous pop gem. “The Power” is a marked departure from the hazier-sounding lo-fi recordings heard on earlier albums like A Soft Day (2017) and Three (2016), though recent releases like Leisure World (2020) and Four Wheels And The Truth (2022) definitely saw her pouring some jangly sugar into the mix. But there’s something downright masterful about “The Power.” It's a near perfect modern power pop song that boasts a bevy of cleverly crafted elements. These earworm-y pieces are immediate, as the song opens with vibrant, radiating guitar tones and supple, inviting vocals. The chorus is an absolute killer that even Chilton would envy. Here, Broderick perfectly layers some gooey harmonies atop a neatly strummed chord progression that bursts with jangly power pop flavor. The syrupy backing “ohs” and “ahs” in the verses keep “The Power” flowing, helping to propel the song to its concluding refrain. She gives us one final chorus, but this time, it’s punctuated with the repeated phrase, “the power that’s inside,” which is uttered with increasing intensity until the cord is yanked on “The Power.”
Stream the track below!
“The Power” is the lead single from Diners’ forthcoming album, Domino, which is set for release on August 18th via Bar None Records. You can pre-order the record on limited edition vinyl via Bandcamp.
