This edition of LITM Rock Picks features cinematic and thoughtful tracks, featuring Super Pyramid, MatAre, and Alan Mair!
1. Super Pyramid – Only the Vain
Montreal-based Super Pyramid deliver a winsome folk rock track in Only the Vain. A fuzzy, raw production, it’s wistful and introspective; it sounds like it’s playing from a stereo with layers upon layers of fine fabric drawn over it, giving it a dreamy, psychedelic feel. Only the Vain carries a unique personality while remaining emotionally vulnerable, modern yet nostalgic. The mix is nuanced – harmonies placed expertly on top of each other, vocals shining through. It holds the charm of the quiet moments of a road trip, where reflection blurs with relaxation. Only the Vain is a track you’ll want to replay over and over, just to unravel another layer of it.
2. MatAre – Extinction Burst
A powerful closer to its eponymous album, Extinction Burst is a controlled synth-forward take on dystopia. MatAre utilises his deep, commanding vocals to full effect: they’re direct, resisting authority, giving the track a political, rebellious edge. This is matched perfectly by the driven instrumental delivery: the track is relentless, forcing you to listen to it. “There is a sense of urgency / every day, an emergency,” MatAre growls, contrasting the lyrics’ immediacy with his composed, controlled vocal execution – it only helps the message land that much harder. And the result is a song that feels cinematic, unflinching, like it’s a part of something larger than itself.
3. Alan Mair – GHOST OF YOU IN ME
If Alan Mair’s name sounds familiar, you probably know him as rock royalty from The Only Ones – the iconic band that influenced the likes of Nirvana and Blur. And if not, GHOST OF YOU IN ME will convince you that Mair has everything it takes to deserve that status. It thrums with power, grit, and swagger – all combined into a track that struts with complexity, intricacy, and above all, a structure that makes it clear Mair knows his way around music. Under its stellar guitar work (provided by Zal Cleminson, of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band and Nazareth fame) lies a rhythm section that goes head-to-head with the rest of the track, leading to music that haunts you long after it ends.
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