It may seem as if Wyatt Blair unlocked his hook-filled guitar pop from a time vault. But upon first listen, the tireless singer-songwriter’s latest single, "Cherry Rose," sounds very much akin to this city’s late-seventies power-pop roots—its crunchy guitars and compressed drum sound could be easily mistaken as a Bomp/Elektra Records long-lost gem. On his forthcoming EP, For the First Time, Blair promises to dig into some personal themes, but "Cherry Rose" serves as a distraction before things get bleak. From beginning to its gradual fade-out, the escapist anthem is pure, gleeful fun.
For the First Time follows Blair’s pair of two full-lengths, Inspirational Strawberries and Smoke & Mirrors. It is out on December 8 via Lolipop Records. Juan Rodríguez