The Shang Hi Los - "Op-Operator"

Photo by Joan Hathaway

I'm a huge supporter of the Boston garage rock/power pop scene, and one of my favorite bands is The Shang Hi Los. Their latest single, "Op-Operator," is just pure power pop bliss. It's a wonderfully sugary sweet track with big guitars and keyboards. Plus, in a genre defined by catchy songs, it doesn't get much catchier than "Op-Operator." The song is incredibly retro without truly committing to one time period. It starts off with some vintage handclaps, and the harmonies are straight out The Archies style of music. It seems to mostly live in the power pop of the 60's, 70's, and a tiny bit of the 80's, but The Shang Hi Los blend all of these into a perfect and timeless vintage style of power pop.

Co-vocalist and co-guitarist Dan Kopko says of the new song:

“A chance meeting in a record store turns into a telephonic love affair – or so it seems. Unfortunately for our protagonist, he soon finds it is a one-way connection and he is but one of many gentlemen callers!”

You can listen to "Op-Operator" below. The single is out now via Rum Bar Records. For more on The Shang Hi Los, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook. On April 5, their playing Faces in Malden with Hammered Saint and Diablogato. Tickets for that can be found here.