This edition of LITM Rock Picks brings you various genres of rock served with a healthy side of experimentation. Featured artists include Left Iris, Susie Heart, CAR287, Roman Cheglov, Chris Oledude, and Celest Marie Wilson.
1. Left Iris, Susie Heart – Heart and Soul
‘Heart and Soul’ is aptly named, with its delicate intermingling of melody and harmony lines filtering out any white noise from one’s mind and replacing it with lilting notes. The soundscape forms a glassy, crystal-clear image with blends of glistening instrumentation from the top, while at the same time maintaining strong rock foundations. The mix gives the guitars, synths, and drums a soft, shimmery quality with thinned-out but resonant highlights, while in the foreground, the vocalists project with still-water levels of clarity. The overall result is an ethereal dreamscape you can visit with headphones and a mug of tea.
2. CAR287 – Feel it Coming On
CAR287’s latest track delivers 70s rock anthemic energy with its crunchy guitar riffs and gritty vocals. The track features a dense undercurrent of instrumentation buzzing with electricity, sending soft currents above as each instrument and vocalist feeds off the others’ energy—falling comfortably into ‘summer vibe’ territory. The guitar solo feels almost warm and cosy with its slow approach and sustained notes; it builds tension steadily, swelling into a passionate release during the chorus to give the track a real kick. Definitely a song for the rock playlists!
3. Roman Cheglov – Fight
Vienna-based musician Roman Cheglov has just released ‘Fight’, a track packed with flavour pulled from various rock and alt spheres, culminating in a rich blend of crunchy and gritty textures. The composition feels authentic and fresh, with a heavy lean towards the fun, experimental side of production. The mix has its own fun with each layer, adding weight and electricity to the soundscape. The vocals display a fantastic range of expression, shifting from easy belting to dropping down two octaves to bring out a cheeky, menacing tone. Overall, a solid track to rock out to.
4. Chris Oledude – SAVE THE CHILDREN
Another great song to catch if you like rock experimentation is Chris Oledude’s latest, ‘SAVE THE CHILDREN’. From funky brass sections to whimsical woodwinds, this track has a lot to offer. At times the arrangement teeters on the edge of chaos, but it finds a sweet spot of playfulness to land its home runs comfortably. The vocals have a uniquely rich timbre with plenty of character, pairing well with the chunky instrumental riffs. There’s a surprise at every turn; the track is anything but predictable and unafraid to make bold choices. Check it out here-
5. Celest Marie Wilson – Willow
A great track if you’re looking for a slow buildup and powerful releases, Celest Marie Wilson crafts a delicate piece with ‘Willow’, moving from gentle and soft-spoken to bold and cathartic. The instrumentation swells and rises along with the vocalist as she commands the stage. The buildup feels natural and graceful while subverting expectations to avoid sounding predictable. The arrangement adds another level of visceral impact by creating softer, padded instrumentation in between with synths and harmonies. All in all, a loop-worthy track! Listen here-
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