Song of the Day: James Younger - Monday Morning

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s selection, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is "Monday Morning" by James Younger from his 2012 self-titled debut on Light Organ.

James Younger - Monday Morning (MP3)

Vancouver-based guitar pop songwriter James Younger has made himself known in the Vancouver music scene through his work as a singer and guitarist in the bands Sun Wizard and The Zolas (both on Light Organ) and just this past year has released his self-titled solo debut, also on Light Organ. Our song of the day, "Monday Morning", from that release, is a catchy as hell piece of guitar-pop that is a radio classic like the Cars would write. Younger's vision for radio-hit guitar pop is fully realized by the doubled guitar lines, bright backbeats, and the strongly carrying melody topping the mix. It's nostalgic music, maybe partly because guitar-based radio pop music is not heard much in recent years, but also because Younger's lyrics have that Tom Petty type of romanticism -- lyrics about dancing to the radio, staying out all night, chasing girls and playing hooky. With such assured songwriting and well-honed taste, we can expect much more pop sorcery from this Northwest musician. Keep up with James Younger on his tumblr, and twitter.