1-800 Mikey - In Yun [LP]

Bedroom powerpop with hooks on speed dial-1800 MIKEY-is the lo-fi garage pop project of Michael Barker. On any given night in his home of Sydney, Australia, you might find Barker gleefully wailing away on stage with any number of local underground garage punk stalwarts including Gee Tee and RMFC. And it seems he's everyone's secret weapon for a reason-his joy on stage is infectious and it comes across in his music. Barker's own project leans more into the pop side of the garage punk spectrum-with great results. In Yun is the third 1-800-MIKEY album and the first on Goner Records. And in terms of songwriting it's a strong step forward. And while the basic formula here is the same-melodic bass lines, crunchy guitar riffs and catchy sing-a-long vocals-there is more going on here. The sound is just as immediate, but also more dynamic and nuanced. Lead single ""Me and My Only"" is a high speed collision of distorted city rock guitar riffs and heart-on-your-sleeve poptastic vocal hooks. If that seems like familiar territory, ""K Style"" and ""Falling in Love"" are more reminiscent of British noise poppers the Shop Assistants and the Pooh Sticks. And the earworm guitarwork anchoring ""Pleasant Morning"" and ""Faery"" is fresh and catchy-good luck getting them out of your head. It's fun and sincere and adorable and it totally rips.