The Guardian's weekly Add to Playlist column spotlights LA powerpop project Jawdropped, whose debut album Secret to Spare (out 18 September) is praised for capturing the joy of "low-stakes creativity" made for its own sake rather than for success. The band, formed in 2024 by musicians who had each spent years in LA's DIY scene, follow up their well-received 2025 Just Fantasy EP with an album celebrating small victories amid the grind of day jobs and everyday setbacks.

Reviewer Huw Baines highlights tracks such as The Line, likened to peak Lemonheads, Monday's power-chord scuzz in a Bob Mould style, and the single Split Lip, whose lyrics wryly acknowledge that major-label success "doesn't always work out." The column also rounds up seven other new tracks chosen by Guardian critics, spanning artists including Shygirl, Fontaines DC, Wild Pink, Actress, Heavens to Betsy, Lover1k and Teenage Fanclub.

– Jawdropped's debut LP Secret to Spare drops 18 September
– Compared to the Lemonheads, Sugar and the Muffs
– Also featured: Shygirl, Fontaines DC, Teenage Fanclub and more new tracks