Featuring Pisgah, Ava Valianti, Fiona Amaka, and more, these LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks find their way straight to your heart with their strong imagery.
1. Pisgah – Cumulonimbus
Pisgah weaves sincerity into heartfelt melody on Cumulonimbus. Emotionally laden vocals intertwine with light, shimmering instrumentals, producing a gentle balance that’s hard to achieve for most – not Pisgah. It’s dreamy, but it packs punches in all the right places: it’s chock-full of heavy themes and vulnerability made obvious in her vocal delivery, while the carefully layered guitar tones produce a sound that envelopes you, guiding the vocals with precision. Cumulonimbus is a product of zero pretence; it’s crafted with precise songwriting, nuanced emotion, and clever production. I’m sure you’ll find yourself playing and replaying it on loop, because it only hits harder each time.
2. Ava Valianti – Clean My Room
Clean My Room dives deep into the mess of self-doubt and the fear of judgement. It has all the makings of fitting into the soundtrack of a teen romcom: all the angst, questioning, and isolation come to a head with Ava Valianti’s heavy voice, while the production and instrumentals drive the track to a hopeful moment of being able to pick the pieces back up. Combining elements of indie pop and soft rock, Valianti creates an emotional space that takes up the entirety of her room, so to speak. The subtle, nostalgic undercurrent throughout the track ties it all together – an addictive feeling that’ll draw you in and completely immerse you.
3. Fiona Amaka – Honesty (Psalm 139)
Psalm 139 speaks of God knowing us with more depth than we can ever know ourselves (O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me), and Fiona Amaka exemplifies this in Honesty (Psalm 139). Her voice is instantly intriguing with its richness and depth, and draws you in effortlessly. With lyrics that emphasise surrendering yourself to god’s power, will, and kindness (“Take me to the place of honesty, where you can deal with me, my pride, my pain, so I can walk the path you set for me”), and uplifting, twangy folk-country instrumentals, she weaves a story of laying yourself bare before God, with complete honesty.
4. Molly Mckew – How I Want to Preserve It
How I Want to Preserve It is a haunting alt-folk melody, the first single from her upcoming EP, In the distance there is a party (I do not go), to be released in October. Tinged with the sound of a Celtic lullaby, it’s calming and hypnotising. Molly Mckew’s voice is weighed with a stirring restlessness, calling on you to listen to her story. “I spend so much thinking about changing and staying the same,” she opens with, and this disquiet continues through the track, offset beautifully by the acoustic guitar’s steady strumming. The allure of How I Want to Preserve It lies in its simplicity – the restraint allows the track to bloom open and wrap itself around you like a vine, leaving its marks on you.
5. Julie July Band – Seven Cities of Gold
Julie July Band conjures a fantastical adventure in Seven Cities of Gold, from their album Wonderland. Stirring up images of grandeur, quests, and adventure, they create a timeless cinematic universe in your head, making you want to embark on your own journey. Lyrics like “Should this be a message from a spirit up above, will our inner passion keep us bold?” linger in the air, not waiting for an answer as the song presses confidently forward. With fascinating guitar fills weaving through the track and a voice full of clarity leading the way, Julie July Band invites you to seek our your own wonders.
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