Quinn Hawkins – Eccentric Powerpop

Released on the Kool Kat Music label, this San Francisco artist’s eleven-track collection entitled Eccentric draws heavily from late-era XTC—think Andy Partridge’s clever dissonance and melodic sense. Influences from McCartney’s tuneful warmth to Jellyfish’s baroque pop flair surface as well.

Opener “Can’t Wait To Go To Bed Every Night” sets the tone perfectly: a buoyant, smartly constructed power pop gem. Catchy yet unpredictable, it captures the album’s core charm—melodies that sneak up on you. Tracks like “Love The Thought Of You” and “(Back Off) I’m On Vacation” deliver crisp guitar pop with unusual percussion and off-kilter energy, while piano-driven numbers such as “Don’t Call Me Your Future” and “Different Level of Hell” reveal Hawkins’ gift for evolving simple structures into richer, layered statements.

“Souvenir in The Dirt” channels prime XTC. Closer “Cleaning Out My Mind” offers Britpop-tinged reflection with stellar harmonies. Every song twists expectations while staying relentlessly melodic.

At just over 45 minutes, Eccentric rewards repeated listens; its arrangements continually surprise without sacrificing accessibility. A contender for debut of the year, Eccentric proves intelligent power pop still exists. Recommended if you like XTC, Pugwash, or anyone craving pop that defies predictability. Hawkins has delivered something special—an eccentric gem worth celebrating. Get it al Kool Kat Musik (CD) or Bandcamp (digital).

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