This week's LITM Rock Picks brings heavy duty rhythms, classic rock beats, and powerful vocals from artists Book/Spirit, Pent Up!, The Project and others

LITM Rock Picks displays an array of rock sounds with alternative, noise, grunge and jazzy elements in this week’s edition featuring artists Book/Spirit, Pent Up!, Petrol, The Project and Onism E.

Book/Spirit - Meant To Be

Book/Spirit, a Brooklyn based alt-rock/noise rock outfit, released a new track titled “Meant To Be”, which is an absolute head-banger. The track starts off on a light guitar melody with an instant appeal. It gets sonically indulgent the next moment, with textured vocals, pulsing drums and throbbing bass notes that soar and plunge as the song goes on. As you settle into the track’s energy, a distorted guitar note fades into a whisper, which then grows into a dreamy melody supported by atmospheric sounds. You’ll then crash land into reality with the track’s power-packed chorus. The lyrics convey the emotional anguish of fighting for love that is getting more distant by the day. The track concludes with slowing rhythms and heavily distorted guitars much like the slowness and distortion in thoughts caused by losing a lover.

Pent Up!- Pepper

This blazing rock n’ roll track, rightly titled “Pepper” by Pent Up!, sets your musical taste buds on fire with its high-octane rhythm, thumping drums, grunge vocals and emphatic guitar riffs. You’re in for a treat if criminal romance excites you, as this song lyrically tells the story of an ephemeral romance full of passion and vigor between two outlaws. This song sonically induces the thrill of a bad romance that is all consuming, yet dangerous. It is the perfect choice of music when you are in need of an exciting story to daydream about or rage clean your home… you decide! 

Petrol - George VI (“Little Joey”)

George VI (“Little Joey”) is an upbeat yet chill indie rock track from Petrol, a Philadelphia based rock band. This track gives off a Foster The People or Børns–esque sound with vibey vocals, unvarying rhythm and unique guitar hooks. The track begins with a zippy instrumentation and you are greeted with a slick noodly guitar melody that will super glue itself to your ear! As the verses’ vocal melody etches itself in your brain, you will find yourself slowly grooving to the beat. With lyrics like “We all feel strong, yet waste away…”  and words like “collapse…slow decay”, the song tucks you in and gets you comfy with the idea of impending doom and, well, decay. If an apocalyptic future ever knocks at my door, this is the song I would greet it with.  

The Project - Best Days

Best Days by The Project, is a timeless rock track, bringing to life that 00s punchy electric guitar riffs and fast paced drumming. The Project, with root’s in the Cali-rock scene, skillfully fuses rock, metal and pop in this genre-bending track. Passionate vocal delivery, ringing rhythm guitars and a banger drum section drive the energy in this track, all the way up! This track offers a refreshing soft-paced segment in the second-half, to let you catch your breath, only to take it away soon after, with its heavy-duty rendition of the chorus. The lyrics evoke feelings of elation, enthusiasm and hope. This is definitely the kinda song you want to hear on the radio, while cruising down a road on a warm summer afternoon.

Onism E - I’m Sorry 

This indie rock track titled “I’m Sorry” by Onism E is one of those rare musical phenomena with a genius blend of acoustics. With a fierce vocal energy, tightly packed guitar sections, jazzy drums, and riveting guitar solos, Onism E concocts a potent sonic cocktail that will blow a fuse in your mind. The track swells with resounding rhythm guitar progressions that closely races the singer’s emotive voice putting up an electrifying show. The singer’s musical influences by artists like Patti Smith, Bonnie Raitt and Joan Jett is evident in her vocal delivery. The lyrics revolve around the concept of regret, assurance and zeal for life. This track is assertive, provocative and reassuring all at the same time!

Follow the playlist for all new artist updates!

Discovered via https://app.musosoup.com #sustainablecurator

LITM Pop Picks this week brings you energetic beats, diverse vocal textures and futuristic sounds from artists Yael Lanciano, Duncan Spencer, Balloon Shed and others

This edition of LITM Pop Picks covers a wide range of musical expression ranging from peppy love songs, festive carols, moody tunes to otherworldly soundscapes from artists Yael Lanciano, D’Artagnan, H. Kink, Duncan Spencer and Balloon Shed.

Yael Lanciano - Runnin’ Away

With “Runnin’ Away” singer-songwriter Yael Lanciano takes us back to 2010’s pop music era. Using refreshing melodies and lively rhythm, she makes music that is reminiscent of Carly Rae Jepsen or Selena Gomez. The lyrics describe the singer’s sweet persuasion to her beloved who is in two minds about their connection. Yael’s lyrical prowess ensures that the vocals complement the musical background like hot chocolate to croissant. The song’s electric keys, dance beats and silvery vocals make it stand out. It’s also hard not to mention the praise-worthy production on this track. Send this to your crush and they might just inch a little closer to you.

D’Artagnan - Merry Christmas Darling

Christmas comes early this year with D’Artagnan’s new release titled “Merry Christmas Darling”. This track is a musical manifestation of gratitude, celebration and love. With tender vocals laid gently on jolly tunes and festive chimes, this track makes you want to open that xmas decorations box and get to work. The celebratory sounds of the chorus invokes feelings of love and joy that will spill on to your loved ones…through a phone call in case you’re home alone. This song will instantly transport you to snowy days, warm chocolate drinks and gift wrappers. A compulsory track for your Christmas party this year.

H. Kink - Once In A While

“Once In a While” is the opening track of H.Kink’s latest album “Karate”. A pensive and moody soundscape envelops the entirety of this track, setting the stage for the formidable auditory journey that is to come. Sharp pulsating beats, shifting vocal display, and dark melodies make this powerful pop-rock track one of a kind. H.Kink explores concepts of longing, emptiness and outrage through the lyrics. As the song progresses, it gets more entropic with increasing emotional tension, distorting melodies, dark electric notes and high-intensity vocals. This track aptly conveys the turmoil in a person’s mind caused by the bitter aftermath of bad love.  

Duncan Spencer - Paradise

Duncan Spencer soothes the listener with sentimental sounds and inspiring lyrical display in the likes of Coldplay or One Republic with his latest track “Paradise”. This track’s lulling piano notes, tranquil guitar riffs and relaxing rhythm will ease your aching soul. With empowering lyrics, this song will penetrate the layers of your mind and awaken powerful hope. Duncan’s deep voice gives off a feeling as though the singer is personally reaching out to you, especially during the lines “I know you’ll figure it out…” and “tell me honey, tell me honey, are you feeling alright…” This song is a sonic paradise for the ones feeling lost and in need of emotional strength and redirection.

Balloon Shed - Frank Says

Singer-songwriter Rowan Davies’ bedroom-pop and garage-rock project named “Balloon Shed” methodically blends genres in this new track titled “Frank Says”. There’s a nostalgic alt rock sound about this track with pop elements embedded in the musical crevices. The lyrics weave a futuristic story of a pioneer guiding his people to other worlds in search of life sustaining forces. Frank’s message is made loud and clear in this song- Each of these worlds suffer the same fate; of bloom and ruin. Ultimately, the souls that inhabit these worlds inherit the same fate. With soaring orchestral melodies, classic rock beats and energetic guitar riffs, Balloon Shed conjures up an animate musical backdrop for this prophetic space-age tale.

Follow the playlist for all new artist updates!

Discovered via https://app.musosoup.com #sustainablecurator