These LITM Pop Picks are everything from bright synth-pop to heartfelt gospel music; featuring A Wider Horizon, Summerhouse, MaKeyla and more!
1. A Wider Horizon – Silent Eulogy
Silent Eulogy does not arrive fully formed and polished; instead, it is the kind of track that finds its footing in front of you, and that’s what makes it such a compelling listen. A layer of haze and reverberation settles over the track as it progresses, like you’re listening to it through a layer of mist, and as the light yet weighty vocals reach you, the song envelopes you, inviting you to drift away with it. Gentle, shimmering, yet grounded percussion keeps the track from becoming dreamy to the point of being disorienting, and as Silent Eulogy wraps up, you realise it’s asking you to find yourself within it instead of trying to force meaning. Listen here!
2. Summerhouse – All I Know
Infused with electronic touches, Summerhouse’s debut single, All I Know, in collaboration with blackbird, is bright and catchy. The song is grounded in strong beats – the strength of which allows every other element to drift and float in the haze without ever losing touch with the conviction that makes the track what it is. This, when blended with the hints of trance and psychedelia that are so expertly woven through the track, creates a listening experience that keeps you engaged till the very end, and then will have you looping it again. Overall, this track is a must-listen – check it out here!
3. MaKeyla – Don’t disturb
MaKeyla’s latest single, Don’t disturb, is punchy and unhesitant in saying what it needs to say. From its opening moments, it’s fast-paced and dynamic, striking a balance between being inviting yet unpredictable; you’ll never feel like you know where the song is going next, but you won’t feel like you’re being pushed away either – a balance that’s hard to strike, yet very much present in this track. Electronic and full of synth production, this song is beautiful in its chaos – full of action and emotion, this is a track that’ll infuse you with an energy that’ll stay long after it ends. Listen to it here!
4. FRANO – SUMMER LIGHT
Uplifting synth-pop at its finest, FRANO’s latest single, SUMMER LIGHT, feels like a bright ray of light breaking through grey clouds. In a world where everyone hesitates to be “doing too much” and optimism is seen as naïvete, this track is refreshing in its unapologetic belief that there’s always joy and beauty in the world. Electronic beats form the base of the track, laid under FRANO’s strong vocals about finding a love you’ll never want to let go of. The perfect song for a carefree beach day, SUMMER LIGHT will have you grooving in no time – listen here!
5. Trail Hawk – One Hundred Angels
Trail Hawk’s One Hundred Angels finds solace in the kind of grief that can never be washed away. The song never tries to generalise its experience to be understandable by more people, and this makes it all the more powerful; specific details about how the family drops everything to come together in a difficult time to share memories and celebrate life make you feel like a fly on the wall, allowing empathy better than anything else ever could. The song also strikes a difficult balance – staying within the realm of gospel music without falling into a preachy trap. This is a song that’ll tug on your heartstrings and make you want to show up for the people who make your life easier – listen to it here.
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