These LITM Pop Picks are introspective and intimate, featuring Sebastian Rydgren, Foxy Leopard, Frannk Whitte, and more!
1. Sebastian Rydgren – glitter in my eyes
Sebastian Rydgren’s glitter in my eyes opens as an intriguingly minimal track that draws you into its soft, hazy world. What immediately draws you into the track are Rydgren’s emotive vocals – delicate and breathy, yet strong and assertive enough to stand their ground with what seems like little to no effort. A song that explores emotional connection and an irresistible pull towards someone even though nothing seems to be going anywhere, glitter in my eyes explodes about halfway in, seamlessly transitioning into a high-energy pop track, fueled by drums and synth that suck you into their whirlpool. Listen to it here!
2. Foxy Leopard – Children of the War
Children of the War by Foxy Leopard is an alt-pop song with roots in a countryesque sound that tells the tale of those left behind in war. The words “war” and “children”, when said together, have always carried a sharp contrast that’s stronger than most others; Foxy Leopard uses that to its greatest advantage, employing vocals about war, about fighting for another’s dream, participating in a war you neither started nor want, sung in children’s voices. It’s a juxtaposition that really makes you think about the sides of war that conventionally – and usually, conveniently – remain unseen. Check it out here!
3. Frannk Whitte – Taste
Taste is Frannk Whitte’s latest single – a track that builds atmosphere and an intimate pop sound with an ease that oozes skill. Hazy and slightly distorted, the song creates a sound that feels like you’re listening to it through a wall, adding to the intimacy and closeness of it all. There’s a beautiful contrast between this easygoing airiness that makes you feel like you’re floating, and heavy, thudding percussion that feels ready-made to groove to on the dancefloor. It’s so easy to get lost in the flow of this song, simply because it’s so fluid and smooth, encouraging you to lose yourself in it. Give Taste a listen here!
4. The Meir – Free
The Meir’s debut single, Free, is rhythmic in its creation of an atmosphere that’s slowly liberating. Through the track, there’s a strong percussive element that keeps the whole thing grounded, even as the vocals and other instrumentals soar high up in the air with carefree abandon. It’d be easy for a song called Free to lean into the sound of catharsis, of liberation, and let the track loose with full energy – something it seems The Meir are fully capable of, but have chosen not to, and this is a choice that’s paid off. The slow blooming of the track rewards patience with a release that’s even better than a direct one would’ve been – listen here!
5. 2nd Magpie Project – Divine Intervention
2nd Magpie Project’s latest single, Divine Intervention, is a reflective piece on loss and heartbreak. What makes this track such an intriguing listen is its nuance: there are layers to the emotion being expressed here. Subtle anger simmers beneath the surface of a contemplative, still pool, breaking through occasionally to create a holistic picture of what this grief can manifest as. The music follows this emotional journey; calm moments are characterised by a clear sound, something broken by distorted vocals that settle back down as fast as they came. The song approaches heartbreak not as the antithesis to love, but as a part of it – to be sad is to have loved, as they say. Listen here!