Kevin Bronson on April 24th, 2014

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Power-pop stalwarts Ozma have had a mercurial career: Branded as Weezer acolytes early on, they culivated a fervent fanbase before parting ways in 2004 after three albums – only to return strong in 2007 with “Pasadena,” which established their own crunchy sound. In March, a stint on the Weezer Cruise in their rear-view mirror, the quintet of Daniel Brummel, Ryan Slegr, Jose Galvez, Kenn Shane and Star Wick returned with the fan-funded full-length “Boomtown,” a melody-rich collection that showed the band still has plenty of gas left in the tank. “Boomtown’s” first single “Nervous” represents something of a surprise, as keyboardist/backup vocalist Wick takes the lead for tune that recalls the early (Los Angeles) days of Metric. “Girlfriend You’re the One” is one of those likably nerdy pop anthems, while the buzzing guitars and slippery synths of “You’d Think I’d Know” remind you of all the ’90s/’00s power-poppers (Nada Surf, Fountains of Wayne, the Rentals, Light FM) whose music gave you respite from Big Angst. Crunch on.

||| Stream: “Nervous,” “Girlfriend You’re the One” and “You’d Think I’d Know”