Marshall Crenshaw - "Move Now"
Marshall Crenshaw has been releasing beautiful records for almost 50 years. With Buddy Holly-esque looks and a keen ear for writing perfect guitar-driven pop songs, he burst onto the scene with his 1982 self-titled debut. It’s a record that still makes the rounds on my turntable, along with its successor, Field Day. Good pop songwriting is timeless, and guys like Crenshaw know how to craft the perfect melody. Crenshaw has also done a stellar job as one of several rotating frontmen of the Smithereens following the untimely passing of Pat Dinizio in 2017. He’s also back with new music in the form of a tune called “Move Now.”
“Move Now” is a breezy, subtly urgent gem that evokes the spirit of songs heard on Crenshaw’s earliest works. As a songwriter, Crenshaw has always had a knack for blending Beatlesque melodicism with a dash of Buddy Holly swagger—and “Move Now” is no exception. Released as part of his recently revived #447 reissue (originally out in 1999 and criminally underrated), “Move Now” feels timeless in that signature Crenshaw way. Over a crisp, mid-tempo groove and jangly guitars, he urges action—not in a frantic or heavy-handed way, but with a cool, composed insistence. His vocals are mellow and clear, floating effortlessly over the arrangement like a late-summer breeze, but the message is urgent: get up, stop thinking so much, and do something.
Sonically, it fits right in with the polished yet organic sound of #447, which saw Crenshaw embracing a more mature, introspective phase of his songwriting while still delivering the kind of hooks that got him signed to a major label in the first place. “Move Now” leans into that thoughtful groove, and if you're into power pop with brains and heart, it’s essential listening.
Move Now will appear on Crenshaw's new album From The Hellhole, which is available for pre-order via Bandcamp. It’s officially out on August 29, 2025. This 14-track collection includes remixed and remastered songs from previous EPs, along with some deep cuts and previously unreleased tracks. Eight of the eleven EP tracks have been remixed. Crenshaw describes the collection as "legacy curation," a mission to archive and reissue his work.
