Jonny Couch returns after seven years with “Where The Sidewalk Ends”, and it feels like he had a lot to say during that time. This is a record full of energy, melody, emotion and, most importantly, great songs. Couch clearly knows how to write a catchy tune, but there is enough atmosphere and personality here to make the album much more than a simple power pop release. Inspired by the 1950 film noir of the same name, “Where The Sidewalk Ends” has a vintage feeling running through it. There is something mysterious in the songs, like walking alone through empty city streets while looking for something you cannot quite find. At the same time, Couch never lets the darkness take over. His melodies are bright, infectious and often impossible to get out of your head. The title track is a perfect example. It starts with a cool new wave feeling before exploding into a driving chorus with Giorgio Moroder-style disco synths. It is catchy as hell and gives the album one of its biggest moments. “Overwhelmed” takes a more emotional road, dealing with a relationship falling apart without becoming overly dramatic. The great thing about this album is its variety. Couch worked with four different producers, and each brings something different to the songs. Still, the record never feels disconnected. The jangling guitars, strong rhythm section, synths and sharp melodies keep everything together. “Where The Sidewalk Ends” is a fun, stylish and genuinely enjoyable rock ’n’ roll album. It has the spirit of late ’70s power pop and early ’80s new wave, but it does not sound stuck in the past. Jonny Couch has returned with focus, confidence and a collection of songs that deserve to be heard. A very cool comeback, indeed!
♦ 8/10
Dimitris Zacharopoulos
