popsiclestickairport - “Here To Stay"

SXSW 2023 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 1

Pairs Well With…The 1975, Death Cab For Cutie, Rubblebucket

Part indie pop and part funk, popsiclestickairport is bright and fun, but with just enough grit is added to keep their music from turning overly sweet. Major hooks accent the Arizonan band’s chorus and breaks, action that makes their songs instantly catchy. Since 2019’s debut EP Telephone, popsiclestickairport have released three more, the latest being EP for Fairies. Tight songwriting is matched with upbeat rhythm and groove, synths and guitars both taking melody duty across their early catalog. While sunny, popsiclestickairport don’t overdo it, sanding their sound down with breezy comfort in mind. While they stay within a fairly narrow lane, there is heightened emotionality on a song like “Here To Stay” that finds the band hitting both heart and feet across their consistent pop-oriented tracks. (Kevin McStravick)