Mopar Stars are a relatively new Philadelphia band, but a couple of their members might be familiar. Singer/guitarist Nao Demand is in Poison Ruïn, and drummer drummer Evan Campbell from Sheer Mag. Both Demand and Campbell are also in the Philly horror-punk band Zorn, but Mopar Stars aren't anything like Zorn. Instead, Mopar Stars specialize in big, stompy, melodic power-pop.
Mopar Stars launched a few years ago. Their first EP Shoot The Moon came out in 2023, and they followed it with another one called Burning Question one year later. Now, Mopar Stars are getting ready to release their full-length debut, which has the excellent title Official Researchers Of The NJ Devil, on Perennial, the new K Records imprint that's put out great recent records from people like Sharp Pins and Winston Hightower.
Official Researchers Of The NJ Devil includes "Only Bar In Town," a song that Mopar Stars released as a single last year, and the brand-new song "Feast For The Smile." The new one is a propulsive but bittersweet rocker. It's lo-fi and immediate, but the hooks all hit. If you're into Liquid Mike, then I suggest you give this one a spin. Below, check out the animated "Feast For The Smile" video that Nicole Rodrigues directed, as well as the "Only Bar In Town" clip and the album's tracklist.
TRACKLIST:
01 "Wreck The Bike"
02 "Drinkallnite"
03 "NJ Darkness"
04 "Only Bar in Town"
05 "Everyone Wants What I Got"
06 "Suped Up Coupe"
07 "Tears Don’t Fall (From Government Eyes)"
08 "Smoking Room At The Feather Nest"
09 "Lifetime Of Pain"
10 "Feast for the Smile"
11 "American Fast Thing"
Official Researchers Of The NJ Devil is out 7/31 on Perennial/K.
