Legendary power poppers THE SPONGETONES return to continue their ongoing series of standalone singles with the all-new track “(I Really Need) To Kiss You,” a pitch-perfect swinging chamber pop mini-masterpiece that's sure to follow their recent hit “So Long” onto the indie airwaves and into their longtime fans' hearts. The single is out June 5 and is up for pre-order and pre-save now:

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It's been less than a year since Power Pop Hall Of Famers THE SPONGETONES – singer-songwriters JAMIE HOOVER (guitar), STEVE STOECKEL (bass), PAT WALTERS (guitar) and recently-inducted drummer ERIC WILLHELM – released their milestone live album THE 40th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT... AND BEYOND. Joyously embraced by fans as an essential document of the band's onstage prowess and decades-deep catalog of modern guitar pop classics, it's perhaps most relevant here for its sly inclusion of three brand new studio bonus tracks (“Lulu's In Love,” “Help Me Janie” and “Honest Work”) which not only became solid hits on global indie radio in their own right but also set the stage for more to come. Earlier this year, the new single “So Long” became the fourth new composition and recording to prove that THE SPONGETONES, in their fifth decade as a band, are in no way resting on their laurels, but instead entering a new era... one that shows every sign of being a true renaissance for the group, and for faithful and new fans of hook-heavy harmonizing rock and roll worldwide.

That brings us to gorgeous new single “(I Really Need) To Kiss You,” resplendent with chamber pop arrangement touches evoking the likes of Pet Sounds, Sgt. Peppers and Odessey and Oracle while rocking out like only THE SPONGETONES can. Its natural fit within the band's oeuvre makes it a delightful surprise that, after the recent songs showing off the undimmed songwriting chops of founders HOOVER, STOECKEL and WALTERS, it's the newest member of the band who provided the melodic framework for “To Kiss You.” As drummer-vocalist ERIC WILLHELM tells it, “I’ve had this melody knocking around in my head for quite some time. Over the years it’s had placeholder lyrics with subjects ranging from a girl dressed as a fish stick to the agony of misinterpreting a person’s body language. I decided to see what The Spongetones' brains trust could do with it, and Jamie came up with some great lyrics that capture the optimistic nature of the melody. From there everything else fell into place, with Steve and Pat adding their own delicious talents. So finally, after years of bouncing around my head, the song is ready to leave the nest.”

Hoover picks up the tale: “Eric sent me a copy of a demo he had put together of what we now call '(I Really Need) To Kiss You.' Great sounding thing, and I immediately said Hell yeah! Let me at it! All I needed was lyrics, and they streamed to me from 'above.' It was almost like taking dictation. It happens like that every so often, and this was such a time. I really just got the lyrics from how the music made me feel. They fell right into the track very quickly. It’s always a joy when this happens! It was given to me.” It's also Hoover's ace production the blends the sophistication of the arrangement with the expected drive of the band, making it clear that THE SPONGETONES are on a roll. They tell us there are two more tracks already set to follow this one, raising the tantalizing prospect of not only a new album, but one of their best. Stand by!