LITM Rock picks tunes brought to you by The Transits, Oli Bruce, Tim Camrose, Satellite Train and Concrete Club!
The Transits - Middle of The Night
The Transits write a night anthem with Middle of the Night, combining otherworldly synths, propulsive drums, and sensual vocals into a song that sounds like a 2 AM epiphany. The song is a masterclass in tension, conveying sleepless nights of heartbreak and introspection in cinematic style. The lyrics conjure images of love falling apart, but the raw-hewn vocals and spacious production sound like a storm brewing on the horizon.In spite of being penned from opposite ends of the earth, the camaraderie between Auckland and Durban artists gives this the feel of a one-room jam session. Anthemic but intimate with its indie-punk attitude and glistening production, the track is a song for midnight cruises or softly played late-night intros. Middle of the Night speaks to all who have bulldozed the ache that love leaves in its wake. The Transits take personal vulnerability and turn it into global awareness, so such an album becomes a must-listen addition to any playlist.
2. Oli Bruce - Lights Out
Oli Bruce's "Lights Out" is an enthralling excursion into sound atmospheres, marrying disturbing melodies with a ferocious, emotional depth that resonates long after the last note has disappeared. From the first chords, the song sets an ominous tone, transporting listeners to a realm where vulnerability is answered by power.
The production is layered and dynamic, with pulsing beats that create a cinematic backdrop. It’s the kind of song that feels equally at home on a midnight drive or during quiet introspection. Oli’s vocal delivery is both tender and commanding, effortlessly weaving between soft, intimate verses and a powerful, anthemic chorus.
"Lights Out" is a testament to Oli Bruce's skill at evoking an emotional response through sound, presenting a timeless but fresh sound. It is an absolute must-listen for everyone who loves atmospheric, soulful tracks.
3. Tim Camrose - She Saw Dolphins
Tim Camrose serves up a bittersweet slice of life with She Saw Dolphins, blending personal memory and universal narrative. Based on a seminal morning on Mission Beach, this Manchester doctor-turned-musician infuses the song with soft nostalgia and widescreen glamour. The soft wave textures and rich arrangement of guitar, piano, and horns carry listeners to a realm in which fantasy meets reality.
Inspired by the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Elton John, Camrose unites old-fashioned rock sensibilities with a twist. The words create a vivid image of painful understanding and yearning, and the redemptive power of love and faith in oneself lies at its center. As one of the songs included in his album Half of My Life, the song captures the introspective personality of an artist who has years of juggling a medical practice with music. She Saw Dolphins is not just a song-it's proof of Camrose's ability to take profound experience and make it into songs that everyone can hear.
4. Satellite Train - Paralyzed
Melbourne's Satellite Train comes with an adrenaline-fueled anthem in Paralyzed, a song that thunders with unrelenting emotion and detonation force. From the opening beat, the song propels listeners onto a sonic rollercoaster of pounding drums, shining synths, and combustible vocals. The lead singer's powerful, gritty vocals convey the desperation and passion of unbridled emotion in each lyric that screams like a cliff-edge wail.
The song is raw and electric, forsaking over-polish for bare, gut-punch immediacy. The whirling textures of synths and guitars create kinetic background, but the true power of the song comes from its deeply human resonance. It's the sound of a band catching lightning in a bottle. Paralyzed is an electric teaser for Satellite Train's sophomore album and a must-hear for anyone looking for an indie rock single that stirs the soul to life and demands attention.
5. Concrete Club - Paycheck To Paycheck
Concrete Club's Paycheck to Paycheck is a rushed tribute to 90s indie rock glory, with that very familiar Mancunian attitude. Paycheck to Paycheck embodies the spirit of the legends such as The Smiths, jangly guitars and emotive vocals full of nostalgia and new energy. Every member of the band is distinct-Jonny McGill's drumming propels the rhythm with precise precision, and Jonny Brewster's vocals and bass maintain the melody in check. Jamie Butterworth's keyboard and rhythm guitar, and lead guitarist Kallum Delf provide a texture backing that lifts the song to catchy heights.
The words tell life's drudgery in gritty verisimilitude, turning everyday strife into an anthem of hope and passion. Concrete Club's retro meets contemporary sound to enclose the unadulterated indie rock in their own signature. Paycheck to Paycheck is not a song, it's a dancing, thinking, alive-at-last proposition.
Follow the playlist for all new artist updates!
If you would like to submit your music for playlist or review consideration, please submit here.