LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks featuring Rita De Los Angeles, WestingWay, Maddison Kate, and More!

LITM Singer-songwriter picks Rita De Los Angeles, WestingWay, Maddison Kate, Jacob Ifans and Claudia Tomàs.

1. Rita De Los Angeles - Riding Shotgun

Summer of 2002, an innocent American tourist encounters lifetime love in Germany. Movie script? Not a chance. It's Rita De Los Angeles' life, and her song Riding Shotgun is the song you didn't realize you were going to need for your next torrid romance.

This tune is the sound equivalent of rolling down the automobile window, having wind ruffle your hair, and yelling, "Anything is possible!" With airheaded melodies and a beat that imitates the smooth roll of an open road, the tune encapsulates the free, lovely energy of being in love.

Rita's gentle voice almost hugs you with the speakers. The words paint images of adventure, feeling of spontaneity, and discovering magic in the unlikeliest places. If you've ever been or ever fantasized about being in love, Riding Shotgun will tell you that life's greatest moments catch you when you're not expecting it. Hold on and ride it out!

2. WestingWay - Grace

Westingway's Grace is a genuine Americana treasure that sounds like the sound equivalent of being enveloped by an old friend. The track is all about trying to get through heartbreak and love, and it manages some success at this with sincerity and a dash of rough charm.

The instrumentation is as cozy as a night around the campfire, with pedal steel and acoustic guitars and subdued percussion. The singing of Jon Wheeler is like that favorite, cozy flannel shirt- worn in, cozy, and ageless. It's an introspective song about resolve, where each lyric feels to be ripped from a journal.

Think Tyler Childers meets The Lumineers with a sprinkle of stardust. Grace is the kind of song you’d play while driving into the sunset, pondering life’s ups and downs, and realizing that sometimes, the journey back to love is just as meaningful as the destination.

3. Maddison Kate - A Truth

Breakups are terrible. But A Truth by Maddison Kate puts that heartbreak together, wraps it around empowerment, and serves it with a side of "I deserve better." It's a breakup song, but one that's gentle and thoughtful and reminds you that healing is a process, not a race.

The melody is stream-of-consciousness movement- gentle but insistent- while Maddison's lyrics pierce to the heart: "This wasn't my fault, and I'm stronger for it." Her voice is gentle strength, the kind of friend who has seen the worst and sits beside you now saying that you are alright.

Whether you are currently going through heartbreak or years down the line, A Truth is a reminder that the best tales begin when one chapter closes. Grab some tissues and let this one remind you that resilience is the ultimate glow-up.

4. Jacob Ifans - Sun Don't Shine

Jacob Ifans' first single Sun Don't Shine is like drinking a warm cup of tea on a rainy afternoon—comforting, nostalgic, and ever so slightly melancholic.recorded during a chilly winter in a caravan, the song is lo-fi romanticism and raw-around-the-edges intimacy that can't be mastered.

The song begins all dreamy, waking from a dream sort of way, and gradually gains focus as it plays out. Ifans' subtle vocals are stunningly framed by a gentle female harmony, building a cozy, layered world that's like wrapping yourself up in a snuggle blanket for your soul.

Ideal for the indie-folk aficionado, the song's rawness is its beauty. It's coarse around the edges, but it's only because it's truthful. Sun Don't Shine is not only a song, it's a soft transfer of human contact in an age of clamor. Include it on your rain day playlist and be enchanted.

5. Claudia Tomàs - I've Seen You Lose

Claudia Tomàs' I've Seen You Lose is an ode to weakness and courage. It's the song that reaches you, even when you're sobbing in your PJs alone with a bowl of ice cream.

Claudia weaves a beautiful tapestry of raw emotion with her lyrics, words that will make you sit and ponder. Her voice stretches like a phoenix in one breath and collapses into a soft drone in another, mirroring the highest highs and lowest lows of human existence.

The composition of the song is stark and yet evocative, keeping the narrative in the foreground. By the last two minutes, it is no longer a track but a chant: You can break, but you can rebuild. No matter if you're at the height of the world or huddled in the trenches, I've Seen You Lose is a reminder that all falls are one step away from victory.

Follow the playlist for all new artist updates!

If you would like to submit your music for playlist or review consideration, please submit here

LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks Tunes Featuring Chris Quesnel, BRANDON SC, CALAMITY JAY and more!

LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks Tunes to Vibe brought to you by Chris Quesnel, BRANDON SC, CALAMITY JAY, Guy Simoneau and Emma Miller.

1. Chris Quesnel - Cherry Chapstick (Acoustic)
   Chris Quesnel has unclogged the thudding energy of "Cherry Chapstick" in a stark acoustic rendition that feels like a close-up chat. Such an approach pays tribute to Quesnel's storytelling ability and emotional intelligence as he ascends a hook-laden pop song on an idyllic ballad.

   Acoustic guitar plucks softly in the background; there is warm, minimalist production here, allowing Quesnel's smooth voice to age the language. The words are richer here, wistful and near-past heft to them.

   The chorus is just as hooky, but its acoustic performance is now more in the vein of a clandestine whisper than a howl to the masses. The string-skipping bridge is the highlight, a mellow moment before the final chorus blows up in even crazier abandon.

   Acoustic pop enthusiasts will adore this rendition of "Cherry Chapstick." It is a testament to the power of simplicity and sincerity in music, which makes it perfect for quiet evenings and musing playlists.

2. BRANDON SC- Diary
Diary by BRANDON SC is an independent folk diary as intimate as sifting through the pages of a hand-written journal. Its sparse arrangements and introspective lyrics invite listeners into the realm of gentle vulnerability and unchecked feeling.

It opens with a soft acoustic guitar and immediately creates a personal atmosphere. BRANDON SC's warm exposed voice bears the burden of his words. The scene is vivid and intimate, chronicling moments of happiness, sorrow, and revelation in poetic style.

Throughout the track, strings and harmonies are heaped up high, depth being added to the minimalist configuration. In simplicity, the chorus screams as a mantra A footnote of how we mature and grow as we work our way around the world and write it upon our pages.

Just as good for Iron & Wine fans or Gregory Alan Isakov's, "Diary" is a chic written indie-folk treasure that stays in your heart well past the time music has ceased playing, just as the smell of an old novel.

3. CALAMITY JAY - A Hobo’s Hymn
Calamity Jay's "A Hobo's Hymn" is an Americana staple weaving tales of wandering spirits and lost highways into a soulful, raspy-voiced masterpiece, capturing the freedom and melancholy that makes the genre so timeless and evocative.

The songs are raw and lush, filled with jangly guitars, a howling mandolin, and the ever-present beat of a long train ride. The lyrics paint vivid portraits of changing lives.

Rahel's voice is the soul of the song, with a weathered sense of wisdom that pulls you in and sets up shop within the story. The chorus is a hauntingly optimistic refrain, it leaves a sense of pondering.

"A Hobo's Hymn" is just right for fans of legends such as Townes Van Zandt or Gillian Welch. It's a tune for anyone who's ever been drawn to the open road or has ever known the pangs of homesickness, all rolled up in a lovely melody.

4. Guy Simoneau
Guy Simoneau brings a message of hope and faith with "Good News," a modern gospel song that exudes optimism and spiritual encouragement. The song is a testament to perseverance, thankfulness, and faith in better days to come.

The arrangement is a vibrant mix of piano-driven melodies, uplifting choir harmonies, and a toe-tapping rhythm section. Simoneau’s vocal delivery is powerful and full of conviction, drawing listeners into the joyful proclamation.

The lyrics are straightforward yet impactful, offering reassurance to anyone facing challenges. The bridge, with its call-and-response interplay between Simoneau and the backing choir, is a highlight, creating a sense of communal celebration that’s impossible to resist.

For people who love contemporary gospel or inspirational tunes, "Good News" is a nice reminder of the power of friendship and belief. It's a song that can uplift your spirits and encourage you to spread its good news to other people.

5. Emma Miller - Artifacts
It’s not often that a live performance moves you to the core, except Emma Miller did that with her performance. Emma Miller's "Artifacts" is an exquisitely written indie folk-pop that feels like excavating emotional treasures long hidden in the annals of the past. Her otherworldly voice and literary lyrics capture the fragility and tenacity of memories, infusing them in a tender but potent melody.

The instrumentation is subtle yet compelling, with acoustic strumming that is softly played, gentle piano playing, and ambient strings that provide depth. Miller's vocals are eerily emotive as she croons.

The song’s structure mirrors the act of excavation, starting with a quiet, introspective verse before building into a lush, emotionally charged chorus. The production is crisp yet organic, allowing every element to breathe and contribute to the track’s emotive power.

"Artifacts" will resonate with fans of artists like Phoebe Bridgers or Lucy Rose. It's a song for those who find beauty in introspection and strength in vulnerability, offering a powerful reminder that our past shapes but doesn't define us.

Follow the playlist for all new artist updates!

If you would like to submit your music for playlist or review consideration, please submit here.