Danny Ayala - Only Fools Love Again (2025)

What’s bold is new again and what’s original never truly goes out of style. That is the thesis behind ‘Only Fools Love Again,’ setting it and its author, Danny Ayala, up for long-term success and a tenure-track rotation on any discerning pop fan’s turntable. The touring bassist and keyboardist with glam and power pop wunderkinds, THE LEMON TWIGS, strikes again! ‘Only Fools Love Again’ ranks near the top of an extremely short list of pop revival offerings that transcend sonic posturing and mere tribute-act dress-up pastiche. For the more seasoned listeners and denizens of the discount cut-out bins, the moves and styles on display will be instantly recognizable, however, for those newer explorers, the lack of fluency in the RAK and Bell label catalogues will not impede any enjoyment or dissuade repeat listens. A forward-facing throwback, showing off a range of influences both new and old, digital and analog, ‘Only Fools Love Again’ is THE NEW Long Island Sound and it comes highly recommended. Get ‘Only Fools Love Again’ today and baby you can go all the way.

Across more than ten tracks, Ayala drifts with ease between soul, psych, power pop, and soft rock, tying it all together with melodies as timeless as they are fresh. His falsetto slips in and out like second nature, heightening the drama and sweetness of the songs. At the end of the day, this is just a flat-out great pop record. And I Don’t Like Her? That one deserves a spot on any playlist claiming to house the year’s best songs—it’s already on mine.