LITM Rock Picks Tunes To Turn Your Mood Around Featuring Brooks John Martin, Martin Kuiper, Richard Tyler Epperson and More!

LITM Rock picks tunes that will surely uplift your mood for the weekend, brought to you by Brooks John Martin, Martin Kuiper, Richard Tyler Epperson, Rosetta West, and We Have Ghosts

1. Brooks John Martin - Clear Blue Waters
   With "Clear Blue Waters," Brooks John Martin presents a soul-quenching trip of self-discovery and rebirth. The song seamlessly wed his folk heritage with cinematic richness, building an expansive, though intimate, soundscape. With the initial chord of his guitar, Martin establishes a field of contemplation, conjuring the serenity of clear waters as much as the grandeur of open skies.
   From Cedar Falls, Iowa, Martin has travelled through many creative paths in the form of Toast and The Blue Danes. Under his own name now, he contributes a down-to-earth authenticity that can't be overlooked.
   The rich, stacked instrumentation on the song recalls Brian Wilson's grandeur without losing the folk sincerity of Neil Young. Lyrically, it's a poetic appeal to strength, with the likes of "Come back to the clear blue water with me" ringing as profoundly personal yet universally relatable.
   A veritable work of art, "Clear Blue Waters" is Martin at his best.

2.  Martin Kuiper - Dreams
Martin Kuiper's Dreaming Of A Sea of Time feels like opening a beautifully weathered journal- intimate, poetic, and introspective. "Dreams," the lead-in to the EP, establishes the atmosphere with ethereal acoustics and wispy synths that swim through your head like a soothing tide.

Kuiper's voice bears the gravity of one who lived and learned, drawing you into his world of remembrance and change. Erik Neimeijer and Jim Zwinselman's unobtrusive arrangements give each note its time, as if relishing the air between hope and remorse.

This isn't music- it's a sonic memoir, the second in a trilogy that's as concerned with the passing of time as it is with the narratives we bring. For listeners of reflective folk with a cinematic bent, Kuiper's Dreams is a precious thing to be discovered

3. Richard Tyler Epperson - December Night
“December Night” from Richard Tyler Epperson’s Fragmented Night doesn’t just kick things off- it transports you. This isn’t your typical rock; it’s dynamic storytelling set to a soundtrack of shifting moods and stunning crescendos.

Epperson demonstrates he's no prisoner of the genre. As "December Night" smoulders with understated intensity, "I Love It When It's Cold" creeps in with neo-soul murmurs and a tip of the hat to the edgier face of pop. And before you can say you think you know him, "Let's Drive" erupts- half country-funk, half indie adventure.

This record plays at the fringes of what defines rock, taking bits from its neighbours and building something that is distinctly Epperson. With its cunning use of space, dynamic colour, and emotional grime, Fragmented Night is a call to explore the confines where rock and the unexpected intersect.

4. Rosetta West - Circle of  Doubt
Rosetta West's "Circle of Doubt" is a blues-rock fever dream- dark, smoky, and addictively trippy. Beginning with a mesmerising guitar riff that's like a looping incantation, the song draws you into a psychedelic underworld where blues meet psychedelia.

Joseph Demagore's vocals are a chilling chant, thick with tension as he belts about spiritual wars and struggling for liberation. The swirling guitars and glinting cymbals create a sonic texture that's both frantic and healing.

Flip to the B-side, and "The God Who Made Me Cry" swaps haze for down-to-earth grit, mixing folk-inspired storytelling with darkened distortion. Rosetta West evokes a timeless atmosphere, weaving old themes into contemporary bluesy enchantment. "Circle of Doubt" is not merely a song- but an enchanting ritual you'll return to again and again.

5.  We Have Ghosts  - You. Know. Want
We Have Ghosts’ You.Know.Want is akin to being sucker-punched by the '90s alt scene- unbridled, raw, and wonderfully unpredictable. This three-piece outfit from the UK combines punk's punky fringes with grunge's heavy swagger, creating a sonic brew that is half pandemonium, half catharsis.

Benjamin Mace-Crossley's spoken-word vocals cut through the din in staccato fashion, laying down lyrics that grapple with vulnerability and deception. Underpinning the energy are Sam Edwards' throbbing bass and Juan Sanchez's explosive drumming, the track a relentless, hypnotic force.

Most striking is the duality- punk toughness and melodic sweetness combining to produce a song that's as bristly as it is clingy. You.Know.Want is not a song but an emotional riot that has you gasping and clamouring for more. Floor-shaking? Yep. Soul-shaking? More than that.

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This Week's LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks is all about the alternative exploration with artists like Tic Tic, Matt Basile, and James Perciv

This Week's LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks is all about the alternative exploration with artists like Tic Tic, Matt Basile, and James Percival

Matt Basile - Hang on St. Christopher 

Matt Basile is a singer-songwriter and blues artist with irrepressible charisma. In his latest release, ‘Hang on St.Christopher’ is a conversation with St. Christopher, seeking for protection. With deep tonal grooves, classical guitar melodies, and baritonal blues, the track flows into a pleasing country rock. He keeps the atmosphere mellow and molten, slowly trotting on. It is a retro, old-timer kind of music that puts you into a nice bluesy state of mind. And with this he branches into a weary melancholy that is both refreshing and reflective. 

James Percival - Curtains Closed 

When you think of slice of life songs, James Percival should be the first artist you should think of. His latest release is the ‘Curtains Closed’ EP, a six track collection that explores the aching feeling of having someone you love in the hospital. The title track especially gets into this. A soft, acoustical composition that blends fine lines of piano and guitar melodies to craft a network of thoughts, memories, and feelings. The protagonist beseeches the person in the hospital to get well soon, the things that they can do once that happens, the things that they used to do before it happened. It’s quite beautiful to journey through it all. 

Tic Tic - While the Shadows Grow 

TiktTic is a singer-songwriter and modern folk duo. They have a way of dilating themes in a way that is so artful and pleasing. Their latest release is ‘While Shadows Grow’, the duo project a theatre of style and sonics, building ethereal acoustics into expressive shoegaze frames, electronic elements and deep vocal manipulations. This song, keeping in theme with the title is made to distort the reality of the listener, incept an atmosphere, an emotion that you can viscerally feel and experience. It is alternative folk rock at its best and most imaginative. Listen Now! 

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LITM Rock Picks Tunes Featuring Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate, Joe Reeves, Breaks and More!

LITM Rock picks tunes brought to you by Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate, Joe Reeves, Breaks, Powers of the Monk and James Bruner.

1. Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate - Between Two Worlds
   "Between Two Worlds" by Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate is a bold, intellectual journey of the periphery of existence. From a prog-rock sensibility, the song layers rich guitar melodic phrases, grinding bass, and screeching synths to create a dense, layered sound picture. The metaphysical words struggle with duality and contrast and oppositional dichotomy of being, choice, and self. The emotive, soaring harmonies add a touch of drama to the story, heightening the story. A rousing instrumental break midway is a ride through the band's musical virtuosity, with rotating solos and rhythms that leave you in awe. The tune is wide-sounding as if it were pushing into something just beyond human understanding. Perfect for the concept rock fan, "Between Two Worlds" is head-stimulating and music-hypnotizing.

2. Joe Reeves - Jenny
Joe Reeves' "Jenny" is a down-home tribute in a warm folk-rock embrace. The song, founded on acoustic strumming and gentle percussion, is earthy in its appeal, recalling campfire ballads. Reeves' gritty, tortured vocals offer a tear-jerking mix of wistfulness and vulnerability. The song is a tribute to Jenny, a muse who is real and mythical, representing love, loss, and hope. The addition of an electric guitar solo in the bridge is a welcome shock of bite to an otherwise mellow song, adding emotional depth. Earthy presentation with timelessness, "Jenny" is a love letter to oneself in music form. It is simple yet incredibly moving—a silent triumph for fans of folk narrative.

3. Breaks - Two Glass Eyes
"Two Glass Eyes by Breaks is a delightful burst of energy that treads the line between rock and playful electronica. With rhythmic beats that feel buoyant rather than brooding, the song carries a carefree charm, perfect for daydreaming or dancing in your room. The whimsical vocals float effortlessly over a sparkling synth backdrop, injecting the track with a youthful, infectious joy. The instrumentation has an understated complexity, with shimmering textures and subtle arpeggios that feel alive with optimism. "Two Glass Eyes" creates an inviting soundscape, drawing listeners in with its light-hearted rhythm and an irresistible melody that lingers long after the music stops. It’s the kind of track that brings a smile to your face, a feel-good anthem for those moments when life feels weightless. Fans of feel-good rock-electronica will undoubtedly find a new favorite in Breaks’ charming creation.

4. Powers of the Monk - Strip The Bone (Remix)
Powers of the Monk's "Strip The Bone (Remix)" is a hypnotic journey into ambient techno, as the beat throbs like a muted heartbeat amidst a morning fog. The remix strips the original song to its bare bones and reworks it with surgical savagery. Atmospheric pads transition smoothly into pounding, ringing basslines, bathing the scene in an otherworldly, trance-like ambience. The insistent beat mesmerizes you, yet subtle embellishments and flourishes—such as glinting hi-hats and distorted vocal snippets—still reveal the aural terrain. This is introspective late-night music or getting lost on a dark dance floor. The stripped-down atmosphere of the song seems to be performed deliberately and thoughtfully, illustrating that sometimes less can be more.

5. James Bruner - Eye in the Sky (Acoustic)
James Bruner's acoustic rendition of "Eye in the Sky" is a minimalist masterpiece that thrives on restraint. The rock staple is remade with gentle fingerpicking and Bruner's emotive vocals, giving it a considered introspective feel. The naked emotion in his singing gives new life to the lyrics, highlighting their questioning of trust, perception, and betrayal. Lacking the rich production of the original, the song sounds more vulnerable and human-like, as if Bruner were speaking in confessional terms. The acoustic instrumentation preserves the song's ethereal melody but brings warmth that is entirely its own. For hardcore devotees or recent converts to the vintage song's pleasures, this is essential listening—a celebration of the virtue of strong songwriting.

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LITM Rock Picks Vibrant Tunes Featuring MatAre, Lauren Ash, Paula T and More!

LITM Rock presents exhilarating tunes brought to you by MatAre, Lauren Ash, Paula T, Third Man Syndrome and Derev.

1. MatAre - Under A Stone

   It has a brooding, atmospheric nature to it-a dark, dreamlike quality by Matare and Under A Stone. This works on moody minimalism, to create an atmosphere that is, at once both haunting and mesmeric. That the song is only a slow burner, pulling its listener in as it goes-always with such understated force building with each passed second.

   The vocals appear rather reflective and obscure in character, with vulnerable fragility beneath. This also somehow blends so perfectly with the rest, whispering something forgotten by old tales as one sinks into MatAre's thought-world. Lyrically speaking, Under A Stone seems more of a reflection of unknown truth and unsaid plight, and its verses are loaded with imagery and metaphor—they haunt beyond the last end.

   Instrumentally, the track is a masterclass in restraint: sparse yet purposeful guitar melodies weave through soft, echoing percussion and atmospheric synths, giving it an eerie, cinematic quality. The arrangement ebbs and flows with a hypnotic rhythm; it's as if quiet tension builds up over time, refusing to be ignored.

   Under A Stone is a profoundly moving, dark exploration of the emotive realm and reveals that Matare can certainly work its magic when putting together intelligent and catchy sounds.

2. Lauren Ash - Whiplash

Lauren Ash's Whiplash is an electrifying anthem that reads like a lightning bolt: sharp, sudden, and impossible to ignore. From the opening beat, it's a commanding exercise in claiming all ears, due to its brash pop production and unflinchingly strong vocals.

It is not overpowered, but Lauren's voice defines and breaks the rules with a sultry verse alongside a hook that soars with defiance. The lyrics sink into the turmoil of love and betrayal as they lay down lines that cut deeply but yet are catchy enough to find themselves in your head for days on end. It's the story of resilience, placed between chaos and heartbreak, and delivered in a completely fiery rage that leaves you screaming along.

A seamless sound that is energetic and sleek features pulsating basslines, shimmering synths, and tight percussion. And yet, no element works with any other part to create what is both new and anthemic. The whole production takes some unexpected turns within the bridge but strips things way back before leaping into that final, final chorus.

Whiplash is not just a song; it is a statement. Lauren Ash has made a track that is equal parts vulnerability and strength, making it the perfect rallying cry for anyone navigating the highs and lows of life's emotional rollercoaster.

3. Paula T - Canary

Paula T's Canary is an exquisitely understated song that charms through its emotional depth and simple elegance. Just like its namesake, the song flutters about vulnerably, but it is quietly powerful in a very profound way.

Paula's voice is nothing short of magical—airy and delicate in the verses, but full of conviction in the choruses.She sings with a warm intimacy, as if telling the listener a personal story. It's poetic and evocative: painting the canary as freedom, fragility, and having the strength to stand above what binds us to life.

Minimal yet very effective instrumentation: there is a simple piano melody all throughout, strings subtly directed with ambient textures evoking an otherworldly quality in the sound. Each note and nuance is allowed to breathe through the production, amplifying an otherwise introspective song without overwhelming its raw emotional core.

Canary is proof of Paula T's music being both delicate and powerful. It is one of those songs that just stay with you, begging for multiple listens to catch new meanings in the song. With Canary, Paula T sets herself firmly in the position of a masterful storyteller and a voice worth listening to.

4. Third Man Syndrome - Ikarus

The sonic exploration of Ikarus, Third Man Syndrome, is almost like a sonic track that's more of entering a dreamscape where mystery meets intensity. So, it goes perfectly with this song in such an eerie, compelling phenomenon the track is named after.

The vocals sound hauntingly atmospheric, weaving in and out, leading the listener to places that feel kind of mystical. Beyond that, there's a kind of distance from the delivery that makes it intriguing: the singer is, somehow, narrating from a space beyond reality.In terms of lyrics, nothing surpasses them concerning the exploration of loneliness, survival, and unseen forces; this narrative is as mysterious as it is thought-provoking.

Third Man Syndrome is the sonic representation of experimental rock blended with ambient textures. Pulsating rhythms and moody synths form the base, with shimmering guitar riffs and dynamic percussion that add an unpredictable edge. Shifting tempos and crescendos mirror the psychological undertones of the track, keeping listeners on edge in the best possible way.

Ikarus has done something that's not just a song but an experience; it is unsettling and enthralling all at the same time. Third Man Syndrome will open its depths and be willing to hand you more questions than answers.

5. Derev - Cyclone

Derev's Cyclone represents a force in nature that shows no signs of letting up: A whirlwind for progressive rock strength and intricately crafted sound work. The soundscape takes one up with that first note but does not relinquish, which is both turbulence and mesmerized.

Instrumentation is, in a word, spectacular. Complex guitar riffs intertwine with thunderous basslines, but the drums, driving the song forward with sharp precision and force, are equally impressive. Add layered synths to the sound, and one gets an atmosphere that creates some dynamic ebb and flow matching the chaotic energy of a storm. Shifting time signatures and the unexpected transitions keep the listener on his toes-a hallmark of Derev's progressive mastery.

The song is vocally a perfect blend of power and introspection. The lyrics talk about change and transformation, with the metaphor of a cyclone talking about inner turmoil and seeking clarity in chaos. Such strong delivery it drags you deep down the song whirlpool.

I am going to consider Cyclone an example of technical mastery fused with raw emotions of Derev to put in together a song which is so much intellectually provoking and can send shivers to your entire spine. Progressive rock at best-bold and relentless and impossible to forget.

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