Mo Troper’s Today I Played My Guitar And Sang is a sharp, guitar-forward pop record from Portland, built around jangling riffs, quick hooks and a knack for turning a bruised thought into something catchy. “The Best Seat In The House,” “Rotten” and “In The Band” lean into power pop snap, while “Let’s Get Back To Music” takes a strange detour through yacht-rock polish and bitter blues. The arrangements keep changing without losing the songs, with piano, keyboards, saxophone and trumpet appearing alongside the usual guitars, bass and drums.
Jon Titterington produced the album with Troper, who also plays across much of it, and the guest list gives the 13 tracks a small-band feel with plenty of extra color. Vocals and guitars stay close to the front, while the different mixing engineers give the set some variation in weight and finish. “When She Says My Name” gets brass, “Jack Of Charades” adds another vocal, and “Moscow To The Ground” closes things down with a quiet, Elliott Smith-like simplicity. Fans of Troper’s earlier jangly indie pop should start here, though the sideways arrangements and darker turns also suit anyone who likes power pop with its edges left visible. Released July 10, 2026, it’s a paid release.
