EP by Star Aurora

Smash My Guitar is a four-song EP that blends the clever wordplay of late-70s British new wave acts with 80s pop instincts, 90s attitude, 2000s pop-punk energy, and modern pop songwriting. The result is a collection of sharp, funny, self-aware songs about relationships, self-reflection, and the realization that sometimes the people we fall for aren’t worth the trouble.

What makes these songs work is that they never wallow. Even when dealing with disappointment, heartbreak, or frustration, there’s a sense that tomorrow can deal with tomorrow’s problems. For now, there’s a chorus to sing.

The title track, “Smash My Guitar,” explodes out of the gate with a driving hook that reminds me a bit of “Jessie’s Girl.” The groove is immediate, the energy is infectious, and the vocal performance perfectly matches the song’s personality. It’s not about technical perfection. It’s about attitude, and Star Aurora has plenty of it.

“Keep It Classy” sounds like Pink and Weezer accidentally ended up in the same studio. Built around chunky guitars and a playful sense of humor, the song flips the script on one-night stands and unreliable men while finding plenty of fun in the process. The contrast between the title and the song’s actual subject matter is part of the joke.

“Situationship” leans hardest into the Avril Lavigne influence, pairing punchy guitars and a frustrated vocal with a song that occupies the uncomfortable space between a relationship and a breakup. It captures that feeling of wanting something to be over while not quite being ready to let go.

“Airport” changes the mood without losing the EP’s identity. The synths take on a larger role, the vocal becomes more reflective, and the song explores the aftermath of being used and discarded. Yet even here, the tone never becomes self-pitying. There’s a quiet resilience to it, as if the lesson hurts but was worth learning.

Three standalone singles released before the EP are worth seeking out as well. They reinforce everything that makes Star Aurora appealing: sharp writing, memorable hooks, and an ability to turn romantic frustration into something entertaining.

“Common Sense” is a particularly effective kiss-off anthem, balancing punchy drums and synth textures with a chorus that sticks around long after the song ends.

“Heartbreaker” pulls from 90s alternative rock and early No Doubt, complete with a California pop-rock bounce and a vocal performance that occasionally recalls Gwen Stefani. The lyric “heartbreaker in a girlfriend’s costume” is one of those lines that stick with you.

My favorite of the singles is “21st Century Love.” Framed as a frustrated eye-roll at modern dating culture and familiar male behavior, it manages to be both funny and relatable. The riff is strong, the bridge lands perfectly, and the song captures the exhaustion of modern romance without ever losing its sense of humor.

For an artist with only seven songs released, Star Aurora already sounds remarkably confident. The influences are easy to hear, but they never overwhelm the songwriting. Instead, they’re filtered through a perspective that feels fresh, funny, and genuinely engaging. These songs understand that heartbreak can be painful, but it can also be absurd, and sometimes the best response is to turn it into a great pop song.

Verdict: Solid

Explore more from Star Aurora

Official Site | Spotify | Bandcamp