The Smarthearts - Not Forgotten EP (2025) Hi-Res

Seven years after their, for lack of a better word, kickass debut, The Smarthearts finally return with new music: the aptly titled 12″ Not Forgotten EP. The Philadelphia quartet (featuring past/present members of Sheer Mag, Machine Gun, Grave Turner, and Titus Andronicus) shows they haven’t lost an ounce of their knack for writing catchy melodies and energetic garage powerpop’n’roll tunes, while trading some of that raw garage energy for something more textured and dynamic.

Opener One on One sounds bright and laid back and comes with a chorus that pops. Alone Together and (love is walking) hand in hand are freaking awesome, and I can’t help thinking this is what the Exploding Hearts would’ve morphed into if they’d gotten the chance. Then there’s If You Were Mine, which sounds like Johnny Thunders stumbled into a Britpop session and decided to cut a power ballad. It shouldn’t work, but it absolutely does. The title track shifts gears entirely, channeling the rage and helplessness of watching the horror unfold in Palestine into something sharp and unforgiving.

12″ EP available now on Stupid Bag Records. While you’re at their store, grab those Dark Thoughts and Mopar Stars LPs too..