This edition of LITM Pop Picks brings to you Koala Bar, and more!
<3peace. - “ROSE PETAL”
<3peace, the musical alias of producer and composer Joshua Ross, brings a heartfelt melody in the form of “Rose Petal”, their latest single — and right from the get go, the lo-fi inspired, synth-laden sound creates a beautiful, ethereal atmosphere. The energy remains delightfully organic and steady throughout the track as the vocals paint a story both through the singing and the writing — and we’re all for it. Couple this with a mix that captures your attention and transports you to another world, and you have a helluva good track! Take a listen to it here:
Koala Bar - “Stare”
Hailing from Malmö, Koala Bar is a trio that believes in gentle melodies, soothing songwriting, and polished production techniques to bring their audio dreams to life — and a bit of a neon fever, they introduce “Stare”; coupled with the downtempo, laid-back drumming and the ethereal, spacey guitars, this track has something different to offer from the word go. There’s much to appreciate in terms of the production of the track as it accurately captures a vast soundscape, seamlessly blending the moody, intimate vocal melodies. Couple this with the bright guitars and the great mix, and you have a track worth repeating! Take a listen to it here:
Alec La Roche - “Next To You”
Experimental producer Alec (Gerard) La Roche puts himself best when he says that he sounds like Steely Dan and Daft Punk had a baby — and on his latest single, “Next To You”, he quite fervently embodies that sound — drifting between an experimental acid bass sound and 90s video game music, Alec makes sure of one thing — he keeps throwing curveball after another, forever keeping the sound fresh and interesting. The kicks and hats keep the track in a semblance of steady rhythm, while the melodies dance all over the meter like nobody’s business — somehow leaving me a fan of that controlled chaos. Take a listen to the track here:
Eleri Ward - “Goodbye, Sojourna”
A former concert virtuoso, Eleri Ward is a lady of many talents — from the viola, to the sax, and now as a vocalist, everything she touches seems to turn to gold — and her latest single, “Goodbye, Sojourna” is one of those cases. Right from the start, the gentle electric guitars sway you in a breeze, while the soft pianos and rustling wind and waves in the background create quite the atmosphere. Eleri’s vocals are the easy steal-the-show here, with her layers and sheer muslin-like vocal texture laying down this track’s bedrock. She flows across registers and tones with aplomb, making this track truly special. Take a listen to it here!
Sonic Neuron - “Shadow to Light”
A dynamic production studio experimenting across genres and styles, Sonic Neuron presents a high-energy track in the form of their latest single, “Shadow To Light” — and be it the electric synths right as the track starts; or be it the beautifully crafted vocal lines, this track creates an aura of its own from right the first bar — and as the energy builds, it evolves in an almost-cinematic fashion as the elements waft in and out of the mix — all held together by the stellar singing. The drop is a shot of energy, as the mix brings together all the elements crisply. Take a listen to the track here!
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