The Popguns - Sugar Kisses - CD (2017)

Labels: Matinee Recordings
Review by: MH

The Popguns reunion since their original existence a few decades ago has been something of a sustained one with “Sugar Kisses” being their second full length since they got back together again in 2012. They still sound like they used to, albeit it a little more mature and a little cleaner in their sound. Plus the additional backing vocals of Kate Mander add another layer of harmonies to the songs. There’s much of their classic sound at play here though with lots of regret and reminiscing about the past in the lyrics. This new album is also full of bittersweet pop songs with catchy choruses like on “A Dream Of Her Own” and it closes with two songs leaning more towards their power pop side. “Fire Away” features what will probably be the closest The Popguns get to a song with gang vocals and “Finished With The Past” is just classic Popguns and the highlight for me. 2017 has seen new music by The Popguns and The Darling Buds – it’s like it’s 1991 all over again.