These LITM Rock Picks range from gritty hard-rock to bright indie-rock – coming to you from artists like HiFi Riff Raff, shy blossom, Daniel Troop, and more!
1. HiFi Riff Raff – Rock is Dead
From HiFi Riff Raff’s latest – and debut – album, The Cool Kids, comes the strong and energetic Rock is Dead: an album opener that makes all the impact it needs to. Strong, gravelly vocals deliver lyrics like “Gimme psychedelic hallucinations / You can keep your corporate anthems” with a nonchalance that gives the song an effortless feel, making it feel like it’s speaking straight to you. The phrase that gives the song its name is, by now, part of rock legend – and it looks like HiFi Riff Raff are going to settle for nothing less than the same. The track is also accompanied by a visualiser that accentuates its trippy notes – listen here!
2. shy blossom – Eternity
shy blossom describe themselves as a band that makes music that makes you “cry, think, feel, dance, and feel euphoric,” and Eternity embodies the very crux of this idea. With a delicate juxtaposition between an expansive rock sound – with a guitar- and drum-heavy backing – and soft, ethereal, floating vocals, the song establishes itself – and the band – as unafraid to experiment with the boundaries of what makes indie-rock a genre people come back to, time and again. Eternity feels barely held-together, giving the impression that it’s going to teeter off a cliff at any moment, and this tension keeps you intrigued throughout. Give it a listen here!
3. Daniel Troop – Wide Open Lies
Nottinghamshire-based independent singer-songwriter Daniel Troop crafts acoustic songs that carry energy and experience, and his latest single, Wide Open Lies, is the perfect example of how acoustic instrumentals can marry a rock sound without anything sounding out of place. Troop’s voice carries a raw, honest timbre that keeps things grounded, while the instrumentals weave magic of their own with restrained melody that fills in all the gaps. Striking that perfect, sought-after balance between restraint and an energy that permeates the air, Wide Open Lies is the kind of song that’ll shake you out of your comfort zone with momentum. Check it out here!
4. D.D.R. – Never Forever
D.D.R.’s latest single, Never Forever, doesn’t waste a single second establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with. It bursts into the scene with fuzzy, distorted guitars full of personality and drumming that shows you it means business, and when the vocals join the fray, they simply elevate the track to another level. This is the kind of song that would feel right at home in a sold-out arena in the ‘80s, but not for a moment does it feel well-worn or heard before – it’s imbued with modern-rock touches that keep it grounded in today while still transporting you to a different time. Listen here!
5. Stephen McCafferty – Never Up
Stephen McCafferty’s Never Up is a bright indie-rock track that offers a nuanced exploration of the human experience and our daily lives. This track’s sound is immediately reminiscent of simpler times: it establishes a nostalgic feeling with vocals surrounded by a cloud of vibrant guitarwork that leads you to think of sunny days and introspection, time in your head that often leads nowhere but leaves you fuller. Strong storytelling meets memorable melodies and a pop-rock structure whose familiarity is like a comforting hand on your shoulder. All of this culminates in a song that feels both grounded yet forward-facing, and this makes for a very enjoyable listen!
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