Los Angeles-based outfit Jawdropped — Roman Zangari (vocals, guitar), Kyra Morling (vocals, tambourine), Sam Edwards (bass) and Joe Fastigi (drums) — features grizzled scene vets, who each come to their newest project together from a trail of previous projects, including Alms, The Shaking Hands, jerseygirl, Destiny Inn and others. Connecting through their involvement run the local DIY scene and their mutual respect and admiration for each other’s work, the band has quickly built up buzz for pairing tongue-in-cheek lyrics with catchy hooks and melodies in a way that recalls early 90s alt rock.

Adding to the growing buzz surrounding the band, they’ve opened for Chanel Beads, Fish Narc, PHF and others. And they recently signed to Fire Talk Records‘ imprint Angel Tapes, who also released their debut single “Star.” “Star” is a Dinosaur, Jr.-like bit of power pop featuring fuzzy, distortion pedaled power chords, thunderous drumming, big catchy hooks and saccharine sweet boy-girl harmonies. And while nostalgia-inducing for the old heads out there, the song is rooted in a subtly modern sensibility, much like bands like Glimmer and others.

“Star” presents the age-old tale of small-town girl moving to the big city to follow her dreams. But she swept up in the city’s seedy underbelly, partying and strung out on coke — like a star!

Directed by Jack Dione of untitled (halo), the accompanying video is a shot on supersaturated and grainy VHS-styled visual that captures the band’s goofy, freewheeling energy while following them through the streets of their hometown.