These LITM Pop Picks are full of thumping synth and moody textures; featuring Eleanor Idlewood, zekiizo, Bailey Bomar, and more!
1. Eleanor Idlewood – Midnight’s Thoughts (Reprise)
Eleanor Idlewood is an electronic music producer based in Bordeaux, France, and from their latest 5-song EP, Bennett Tell Me, comes Midnight’s Thoughts (Reprise). Holding true to their identity as a “synth witch,” as they say – an apt description of their work! – this song flows through synthwave textures, swelling over its short runtime to immerse you in the atmosphere that the entire EP builds. As you immerse yourself in this soundscape, if you close your eyes, it’s easy to imagine sitting in a dim room at night, high up and away from the hustle and bustle of the city, such that it’s merely a hum in the distance. Listen to it here!
2. zekiizo – SHOTGUN
Thumping synths greet you as you press play on zekiizo’s latest single, SHOTGUN, and they don’t let up throughout, creating a beat that reverberates in you while retaining an effortless danceability. This is the kind of song that’d play at a crowded underground club when all you care about is the rhythm and how it makes you feel – carefree, open, and experimental. zekiizo’s attention to detail must be called out here: even the production on this track feels like walking down the steps into a club, as the song moves from a muffled sound to a more open one. Undeniably catchy, this is a must-listen for fans of experimental electronic music!
3. Bailey Bomar – Ecstasy
Ecstasy is Bailey Bomar’s debut release, and what a debut it is. Blending moody textures with silky smooth vocals that carry stunning clarity, the track explores that moment of meeting someone for the first time: the moment you first lock eyes, what runs through your head, and how it makes you feel. What really makes the track work is its mood: it approaches that moment with nuance, capturing the waves of impulsiveness, doubt, and excitement in equal measure, stirring those feelings up in you, too. With production that makes sure you’ll remember it for its smoothness and originality, the track effortlessly establishes Bailey Bomar as an artist to keep an eye out for!
4. Mikhail Tank – Apex Instinct
Opening Mikhail Tank’s upcoming album, Prima Materia, Apex Instinct is calculated and mysterious. Even with a relatively short runtime, the song carefully constructs atmosphere with reverberating spoken-word lyrics that settle within you as you listen. From this track alone, it’s clear that Mikhail Tank understands the value of restraint and expanse in musical arrangement: this is a track where the spaces in between carry as much, if not more, weight than the lyrics and waves of synth. Apex Instinct doesn’t rely on grandeur or catchy hooks to keep you engaged – instead, it slows you down until you’re paying complete attention to it. Prima Materia promises to be a contemplative album; pre-save it here!
5. Hanne Leland – Say It Once More
An extensive discography has established Norwegian Hanne Leland as an artist who shines with her delicate vocals, minimal arrangements, and pop-forward melodies that carry nuanced emotions and vulnerability. Her latest single, Say It Once More, written, composed, and performed by her, is a brilliant piece that showcases all of this and more. Built on a foundation of rolling percussion and shimmering synthpop textures, it’s a vibrant burst of energy that feels like a newly discovered gem from a bygone era of hit girl groups and irresistible dancepop music. Leland’s innate musical ability shines on this track as she sings of love that’s as dangerous as it is playful; listen here!
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