Delve into Layered Riff Plays with this week's LITM Indie Rock Picks exploring artists like Wise Up, The Ultra Violets, Two-Man Giant Squid, The Karson City Rebels, and Engelbert Humperdinck.
Wise Up - House Cat
Wise Up is a cross-continental indie band with a penchant for the 90s like no other. So you can imagine the diverse range of influences and references one can uncover in their work. This week’s LITM Indie Rock Picks opens with the band’s latest single, House Cat. Groovy bass lines, fuzzy riffs, and vibrant synth accents carry Joni Mitchell-esque vocals into hypnotic melodic grunge frames touched by lo-fi blues. The retro sensibilities of the song are immutable. Vibrant contrasts and creative fusions between genres deliver a 90s-reminiscent rock subculture that will take you back to artists like Radiohead, Sonic Youth, and The Smiths.
The Karson City Rebels - Freedom Guaranteed
The Karson City Rebels, fronted by guitarist and vocalist Gil Karson have just released their debut single, Freedom Guaranteed. The country-rock song is replete with delightful riffs and shiny acoustics that swell with American pride and patriotism. There’s a general air of upliftment and gratitude as Gil pays a soulful homage to all the soldiers and fallen heroes who show up to guarantee freedom. His warm baritones are accessorized by an army of riffs and mellow beats. In the backdrop, springing accordion tangents further add and elevate the vocal sentiment and theme. Listeners of John Denver and Keith Urban are sure to enjoy the lilting work of this artist.
The Ultra Violets - SEX
A drastic curve lands us in The Ultra Violets’ funk contemporary rock scape. Adopting a young adult theme, they transform it with vibrant riffs, synth patterns, and looping vocal design. It sizzles with renewed electricity, as it progresses. It romanticizes the theme, using flamboyant and brilliant sonics to showcase its allure and magic. Alt pop elements lace the rock instrumentation, a touch here and an accent here. Listeners of Arcade Fire, The Strokes, and The Smiths are sure to enjoy this melodic rock track, rifled with plush synths and slicing riffs.
Two-Man Giant Squid - Progress
New York punk duo, Two-Man Giant Squid join the queue with Progress, mixing it up with their legendary punk style. Their work is as unpredictable and voracious as their banner, as they meander through a forest of chaos, navigating it with groovy basslines, gleaming riffs, and fantastic beats. The mercurial rhythm of the song makes up the theme, progressing ardently and resiliently in the face of gigantic walls of resistance. Carried by winds of hypnosis and psychedelia, the track is very cerebrally appealing. The duo defines punk with dominant grunge influences in this track. Delightful shreds and scathing riffs are pooled in with molten fumes of electric guitar work to create a grand sound. Listen Now!
Engelbert Humperdinck - How Can You Mend a Broken Heart
And saving the best for the last, we have Engelbert Humperdinck’s honey-suckle voice serenade us with his track, How Can You Mend a Broken Heart. Taken from his latest album, All About Love, its dallying acoustic rock and soulful vocals takes us back to a love, as felt and sung by Frank Sinatra. Engelbert Humperdinck renews his famed romantic style and heartwarming vocals to transform love in this new age. The track sails with a timeless simplicity, swelling with touching sentiment. You cannot help but lose yourself in the slender curves of his vocals as he navigates heartbreak and healing with astounding grace.
Follow the playlist for all new artist updates!
Discovered via https://app.musosoup.com #sustainablecurator