This Week's LITM Pop Picks offer a freshness like never before with artists like zukrassverliebt, Olie Beckett, Avygayle & others

This Week's LITM Pop Picks offer a freshness like never before with artists like zukrassverliebt, Olie Beckett, Avygayle & others

zukrassverliebt - Wenn du dir weh tust 

zukrassverliebt is a German singer-songwriter and soft pop artist. His tracks are contemplative and fresh, expanding into the thematic emotion so beautifully. With his latest release, ‘Wenn du dir weh tust’ (translated to if you hurt yourself) he makes you think of life, of the self in a meaningful way. His tone is so kind, soft and graceful as it circles the theme in warm feel-good halos. And just like that, the combination of melodies, the mellow rhythmic drift, and the buoyant energy carries the listener to a sweetly melancholic place. 

Olie Beckett - Whiplash 

The warm current is passed on with this best song by fifteen year old singer-songwriter, Olie Beckett. ‘Whiplash’ is yet another feel-good song, youthful and contemporary. His neo-soul pop style spreads out like an arch, buttery with summer. The husky aftermath of his vocals lend a nice intimacy to the atmosphere. Glassy toned, soft melodies, and dreamy haze becomes a part of it and gains on the listener. The feeling becomes bigger with the luminous flows and the fluid rhythms. If you like artists like SZA and Harry Styles, you’re sure to enjoy the work of this artist. Listen Now! 

Avygayle - tell me why

Avygayle is a contemporary pop artist, a singer-songwriter who poses human experiences in theatric soundscapes, with performative vocals, and sonic gestures that are grander than ever. Her latest release, ‘tell me why’, ponders on romance as we see it in movies, and how it would be so beautiful if it all happened like that in real life. The song traces the dreams of girlhood, from reading fairy tales and watching Prince Charming to the abrupt reality in young adulthood. The artist explores this gap, mourns it and yearns for the innocent love and free romance of movies that she wanted for herself. 

Stephanie Rodriguez - Facades 

Stephanie Rodriguez creates a cinematic piece with her latest release, ‘Facades’. Another powerful song that delves into the fractures of identity, its illusions and realities. The dark electro pop song spreads out with contemplation; taking us through the wilderness of life, through the darkness to light. She portrays it as an ethereal fantasy. There is so much outwordliness within the song that does quite a lot to conceptualise the theme and its realities. The allure of her vocals, the lushness of the melodic framework and the performance of the tones and textures. It all becomes a great place to flow through. 

Josy B - I get off (ytk pop version) 

Josy B finishes off this list with a grand display of electro pop in her ytk pop version of her song ‘I get off’. It is a love song, upbeat but sentimental, fun but soft, dynamic but contemplative. The protagonist confesses her love playfully with a style that is reminiscent of Y2K pop. With flashy melodies, glittering textures, and splash of beats, the soundscape is catchy and hooky. It’s so much fun. And Josy’s vocals, sensual and smitten, have the best time expressing the theme. That quality of magical love, it’s magnetic allure, and the omnipresence just manifests so beautifully in this soundscape. Listen Now! 

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LITM Rock Picks Tunes Featuring Bethany Weimars, The Music of Sound, machineGardenSoulz and more!

LITM Rock picks tunes brought to you by Bethany Weimars, The Music of Sound, machineGardenSoulz and Kmalectro!

1. Bethany Weimers - The Wild One

Bethany Weimers' The Wild One is a stunning track that creates a sense of autonomy and sheer beauty of unbridled feeling. Her poetic voice and ecstatically beautiful playing transport the listener to a place where openness is strength.

The track combines acoustic guitar with atmospheric strings and muted percussion to create a cinematic sound. Weimers' lyrics paint vivid pictures of nature and emotional distress, exposing an intimate yet universal tale.

As the track progresses, it builds in intensity, mirroring the journey of self-discovery and embracing the wild spirit within. The Wild One is a testament to Weimers’ ability to craft deeply emotive and resonant music, leaving an indelible mark on her listeners.

2. The Music of Sound - When You’re Near

When You’re Near by The Music of Sound is a dreamy exploration characterised by its ethereal production and heartfelt lyrics. The track blends soft electronic elements with acoustic undertones, creating a delicate yet impactful listening experience.

The vocals on the song are slick and emotive, with fullness and yearning that's sweet to hear and absolutely well-suited for the thick textures of the instrumental parts. There's not a lot of arrangement, so that every element takes center stage alone, and as a whole the song is at once intimate and immersive. It's a beautiful tribute to human intimacy, and one that will move profoundly those who listen.

3. machineGardenSoulz - Nothing is Known

machineGardenSoulz' album, Nothing is Known, is an exquisite introspective album of life's unreached goals and unknowns. The album title song is the flag bearer of this story, with introspective verses and complex melodies on a delicate border of despair and hope.

The track begins with an austere ghostly intro which slowly builds to waves of keyboards, guitars, and percussion drowning out the listener. Anastas' vocals are raw and husky, shouting out lyrics which sound like ripped-out diary entries. Kateryna's harmonies are the depth of the song, rich interplay between the two females which adds emotional depth to the song.

Following in the footsteps of the duo's history of migration and assimilation, Nothing is Known is an achievement of weakness and strength, something one who has lived to see change will understand. Their incorporation of bleeding-edge AI technology into production only adds to the introspective indie sound, lending it an electrifyingly new flavor, and the song being hip both as an album release and first single for machineGardenSoulz.

4. Kmalectro - HOLA (Radio Edit)

Kmalectro's HOLA (Radio Edit) is a thrilling plunge into the realm of electronic music, demonstrating his skill at combining complex motifs with catchy rhythms. The song starts slowly and builds up gradually at a consistent rate, eventually accumulating by layering things on top of one another to produce a rich, throbbing soundscape that crackles with electricity.

The production is immaculate, with every element filtering through immaculately, from the searing beats to the glinting synth patterns. For all its pomp, the track never sounds detached, balancing perfectly between pulsating motifs and soothing grooves. The vocals add an otherworldly gloss, sitting well within the sound to give the track an air of mystery.

HOLA (Radio Edit) is an electronic production excellence that presents a new and unique listening experience that is innovative yet familiar. It's a song that inspires listeners to get lost in its intricate textures and quirky rhythms.

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LITM Rock Picks Tunes Featuring Pilots, Justin Sconza, Ethan Gold and More!

LITM Rock Picks Tunes to set the week right brought to you by Pilots, Justin Sconza, Ethan Gold, Glorybots and Ghost Fetish!

1. Pilots - Come On Let's Get Together

Come On Let's Get Together is a catchy song, penned in an indie rock package that glows with an excellent charm and energy. This kind of raw, off-the-cuff sensation of a song bounces on its unadorned, hook-driven songcraft.

The track opens on such perfect notes that take hold right from the start. The vocals are catchy and strong, and blend perfectly with the instruments to develop a chorus which sounds ready to top both indoor club shows and outdoor festivals.

Lyrically, Come On Let's Get Together is a marvel for all those who listen to it. You honestly do not want to miss this. Production is alluring, but once again working more to encourage the song's rawness and old-school sound instead of detracting. Pilots walk the fine line between retro inspiration and contemporary indie hip with aplomb, the end product a song both familiar and state-of-the-art.

2. Justin Sconza - Broken Glass

Justin Sconza's Broken Glass is a heartbreaking exercise in toughness and vulnerability, provided with lush jangle-pop and folk-inflected texture. A standout on his album Standards, the song directly demonstrates Sconza's capacity to merge retro sound with contemporary subject matter.

The tune starts with shimmering guitar chords and airy rhythm, creating an airy, open ambiance. Sconza's voice is emotionally laden, swinging between introspection and optimism. Broken Glass texturally navigates longing, self-awareness, and the delicate ballet between recollection of the past and decision of the future.

Self-comparative to such bands as The Beatles and Weezer, Sconza weaves antique visual beauty and modern indie-pop beat with complete ease. Understated production gives precedence to naked emotional drive of the track. Broken Glass is a fine demonstration of the artistry skills of Sconza, where the listener finds a real-life tale shrouded in lavishly created melody.

3. Ethan Gold - Camera

Ethan Gold's Camera is this hauntingly self-reflective song that's on the brink of art-rock and ambient sounds. With unearthly production and emotionally intense vocals, the song is akin to viewing a film that struggles to cope with the passage of time and memory.

The track begins builds an immersive, dreamlike atmosphere. Gold's voice is raw and inquisitive, inviting the listener into the heart of his introspection. The lyrics convey the struggle between grasping a moment and being in it, presenting a profound sense of modern life.

Gold's minimalist production style enhances the emotional impact of the song, illustrating that sometimes less can be more. Camera is a heartbreakingly beautiful track that lingers long after the last note, demonstrating Ethan Gold's skill for creating music that is both sonically engaging and intellectually stimulating.

4. Glorybots - Be Fair

Be Fair by Glorybots is a post-rock/alt trance-like hybrid that offers as enigmatic as intriguing music. The track takes listeners on a foreboding, atmospheric ride of complex melodic textures with reflective lyrics.

It starts with an ominous bassline and disquieting guitar textures, Be Fair coiling through slow, measured movement. The voice is otherworldly resonant, recounting an experience of self-discovery and emotional nuance. Lyrically, the track is fixated on justice and balance, its quasi-philosophical inclination imbuing its sonic loveliness with added depth.

The production is incredibly detailed, and every sonic feature is precisely set to further intensify the track even further. The contrast of dark and light textures makes listening rich, for Be Fair happens to be the fan favourite of experimental and atmospheric music fans alike.

5. Ghost Fetish - Show and Tell

Ghost Fetish's Show and Tell is a perfect introduction to darkwave and dance alternative territory, taking the substance of a genre and applying a new sheen to it. The dark ominous atmosphere that comes out immediately at the very first notes of the song is sustained by thumping synths and driving beat that set the mood off right away.

The vocals are hypnotic and otherworldly, adding to the already darkly colored soundscape an air of mystery. Show and Tell lyrically walks the tightrope between openness and showmanship, tension that holds together with the gothic undertones of the song.

Musically, the tune is a nostalgic nod to '80s synths but rendered with modern production methods. The result is a tune that is retro but also progressive, simultaneously, bridging the past to the present. With its trippy beat and rich sonic tapestry, Show and Tell makes Ghost Fetish an artist to take note of for the alternative genre.

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LITM Rock Picks Tunes To Put You Into A Great Mood Featuring The Dialtones, Attack the Sound, Jungaji, Alwyn Morrison and more!

LITM Rock picks tunes brought to you by The Dialtones, Attack the Sound, Jungaji, Alwyn Morrison and Mantrix Storm!

1. The Dialtones - Naming No Names

The Dialtones' latest single, Naming No Names, is a breathtaking exercise in artistry that sets the bar high for albums this month. The Austin group, fronted by the remarkably gifted Lauren Gurgiolo, gives us a haunting and catchy song. Gurgiolo's personal experience with bipolar 1 disorder is incorporated beautifully into the song, and it makes for a deeply emotional and engrossing listen.

The track has smooth production, impeccable mixing that makes it somber, and great instrumentation that plays the emotional part of the song to perfection. From the first chords to the final echoes, Naming No Names holds listeners spellbound with sheer force. Gurgiolo's vocals are entrancing, sticking in your head long after the song ends.

As the first single from their upcoming EP, this track sets the stage for what is shaping up to be a great release. Smoothly bridging vulnerability and artistry, Naming No Names is a free-for-all rollercoaster ride of the highs and lows of mania, feeling the rush and the darker ramifications in equal measure. The Dialtones have done something here that is nothing short of incredible, leaving one wanting more.

2. Attack the Sound - Wake Up Call

Attack the Sound's Wake Up Call is a soul-provoking song that mingles introspection and hooks in a reflective and infectious soundscape. This Chicago project, led by Davo Sounds, stitches together soul, R&B, pop, rock, and jazz into a rich tapestry that's both classic and synthetically new.

The melody starts with a gentle guitar riff, developing into rich, rhythmic texture that suits the sincere lyrics to perfection. Davo's sincere singing engulfs you as he struggles with the questions of self-realization and resilience: "Trying to figure out what my life's about." Production is accompanied by glorious keys and celestial synths, resulting in a rich layering of texture.

The call-and-response sections, the repeated "got to figure out," resonate so strongly, highlighting the introspective nature of the song. The understated but powerful electronic undertones bring yet another layer to ensure Wake Up Call is a thinker and a dancer.

The authenticity of Davo Sounds shines right through, and this song is a beacon of hope and determination. It's one song that's unlike any other and has the ability to stir listeners to draw on their strength in the face of adversity.

3. Jungaji - Ol' Rooster

Jungaji’s Ol’ Rooster is a poignant tribute to his late father, celebrating the resilience and love of a man who profoundly shaped his life. Rooted in the sugarcane regions of Birrigubba Gia country, the track combines heartfelt storytelling with rich cultural significance, creating a deeply moving listening experience.

The song captures the essence of a young boy growing up on the fringes, supported by a father whose strength and dedication are palpable throughout the lyrics. Jungaji’s evocative delivery brings these stories to life, blending his cultural roots with contemporary musicality. The track’s title pays homage to his father’s beloved Roosters football team, a nickname that stayed with him until his passing into the dreamtime.

Musically, Ol' Rooster is a masterclass in blending old and new sounds. Its soulful tone and honest lyrics are an ageless love song of legacy, appreciation, and love.

A part of his new album Betting On Blak, the song further cement Jungaji as one to watch as a teller of tales and cultural voice. It is not only a dedication to his dad's memory, but a track that gives his people resilience and pride.

4. Alwyn Morrison - Chained

Chained by Alwyn Morrison is an emotional statement that has a minimalist but fervent arrangement. Composed in-flight and recorded in Los Angeles by producer Michael Carey, the song is the most personal work Morrison ever composed, exploring the extent of love for a person with depression.

The tune is accompanied by soft guitar strums and insistent percussion, giving the song a close and confessional feel. Morrison's expressive, raspy voice bears the burden of the song's emotions, expressing tenderness and determination. The lyrics are bare of ornament, poetic, and evocative of stark images of emotional entanglement and stubborn devotion: "Chained to a darkroom" encapsulates the double-edged nature of love and despair.

The subtlety of the production lets the emotional core of the song speak for itself, as laid-back background harmonies add body and realism. This restraint releases the raw integrity of the track, making it even more effective.

Chained is a tribute to Morrison's capacity for turning highly personal experiences into pain-understoodly relatable songs. It's a song that clings, providing comfort for those who are in similar struggle.

5. Mantrix Storm - Play no game

Mantrix Storm's Play no game is a blues and funk groove fest that catches you from the opening beat. Upfront and in-your-face, the song uses contemporary production in conjunction with vintage flavours to create an irresistible concoction that just has to be played again and again.

The Dutch-lyric section is a welcome surprise, integrating nicely with the taut beat and showman energy of the cut. The assertive beat and swagging rhythm bring to mind the winking worldly-playfulness of Jamiroquai and the experimental edge of Fatboy Slim. Yet Mantrix Storm makes his own mark, presenting something new that somehow seems distinctly now.

The performance is slow and measured, and each level—the thwacking bass, the glassy keys, the guitar solos—is situated in proximity to each other. The end result is a song that is both musically intent and catchingly pleasing.

Speel geen game is a strong statement by Mantrix Storm, evidencing him to be capable of blending genres and getting individuals to listen to him due to his charm that one cannot resist. It's a track that grabs your attention and you end up needing more.

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LITM Picks Tunes which will put you into introspection featuring Ava Valianti, Collaborations and Platitudes

LITM Singer-songwriter picks tunes brought to you by Ava Valianti, Collaborations and Platitudes

1. Ava Valianti - Laugh Track
   Ava Valianti’s Laugh Track offers a deeply introspective and relatable exploration of identity and perception. The track delves into the unsettling feeling of being the center of attention but not in a way that feels validating, akin to living in a sitcom where the laughter is directed at, not with, the protagonist. Ava captures this emotional tension through moody indie-pop melodies and genuine, introspective lyrics. The spartan production of the song puts center stage her worn but assertive voice to convey the weariness of performing roles society has foisted upon her.

   Referring to The Truman Show and How I Met Your Mother, the song cleverly draws parallels between popular culture characters trapped in roles that have been predetermined for them and real-life experiences of struggles with identity. The haunting but subtle melody is complemented by the raw exposure in Ava's lyrics, and the listener is left with the sensation that it is all achingly personal. The tightrope walk between humor and emotion is what makes the connection so special, and those grappling with self-doubt or pressures of public opinion can particularly relate.

   Laugh Track stands out musically and emotionally, too. It speaks so intensely to anyone who's questioning if they're real, delivering the message home with one which is powerful as well as quite real itself. Tender production and the truthfulness of Ava's voice make this piece one to remain remembered for a dreadful long time once it ceases to be heard.

2. Collaborations - Time For You

Time For You by Collaborations is a retro journey into the Motown golden age, where soulful warmth meets sharp modern production. Anais Preller leads on vocals, and the song begins with an old-school horn section that catches the ears of listeners immediately. Production is immaculate, with expert-level mixing, editing, and mastering that breathe life into each element. The vocals are crisp and distinct, a refreshing exception in a genre in which bad production all too often obscures the message.

Anais Preller's singing is enchanting, her voice communicating effortlessly the emotional depth of the song. The bridge saxophone solo stands out, adding a real, soulful quality that does justice to Motown's distinctive sound. The opposition between lush instrumental backing and Anais's honest delivery creates a timeless sound, striking a perfect balance of vintage charm and contemporary sophistication.

With its vibrant energy, authentic lyrics, and impeccable production, Time For You is a soul music homage that feels both ageless and fresh. It's a song that worships its forebears while firmly planting itself as a modern gem. Perfect for fans of soul and Motown, this song is a beautiful testament to the agelessness of stellar music.

3. Platitudes - Time To Come Home
Platitudes' Time To Come Home is a track that will for sure send you into a spiral of introspection that evokes a powerful sense of nostalgia and longing. The song evokes a rich emotional terrain, charting the motifs of reunion, redemption, and the final siren call of home. With its grounded lyrics, the song welcomes individuals into a reflective space, and thus, it becomes extremely personal yet universally appealing.

The delicate piano tunes and the song surging into the lyrics are so smooth. The sound is lush but intimate, with warmth of the words that come through. The lead vocal delivery is raw and bare, with a mix of hope and exposure that pulls at heartstrings.

It is what sets Time To Come Home apart that it manages to strike a balance between simplicity and emotional impact. The song does not treat about majesty but wins because of authenticity and quiet narration. It's one that is akin to a warm hug from a loved one that reminds everyone of the power of home as a place and as an emotion.

For anyone who has ever longed for reunion or the solace of familiarity, Time To Come Home is an inspiring and lyrically crafted song that lingers long after the final note has faded. It's a poignant reminder that no matter where we wander, home is always in the wings

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