This edition of LITM Rock Picks, features unique melodic bends and soft rhythms from artists Herds, The Missingman, Highroad No.28, Cycamore and Scott’s Tees.
1.Herds-Inside
Prog-rock, UK-based band, Herds, formerly known as the ‘Amber Herds’, have come out with their new single- Inside. The guitars are tonally friendly, yet raw, carry that roughness throughout the track, giving it a solid hook and an overall grungy vibe. The major chords are paired in contrast to its lyrics- “so tired of gambling my money and time” “sick of searching for the feelings that we use to feel inside”. The vocals are backed by some fun harmonies and that, paired with the guitars’ funky hook will take you back to the 90s. The drums effortlessly carry the vocals and the other instrument sections throughout the track except in the bridge, where it momentarily suspends to build in tension. The track overall is uplifting, pumped up and definitely headbang-material at a rock concert.
2. The Missingman- Ghost in the Machine
The mysterious, new wave and electronica act, The Missingman, beautifully merges cinematic with hauntingly euphoric elements in ‘Ghost in the Machine’. The song evokes an ambient, fast-paced melancholy, aiming to blend binaries, such as pairing a fast-paced hi-hat with mournful harmonies, which creates a hypnotic yet tense atmosphere. The arrangement uses other techniques, such as dissonant bends that are made at specific points in the songs, like when they sing “haunt me” and “set free”. This feels very intentional and drives home that melancholic feeling. Lyrics like “when will my demons come to kill me” reflect the tension heard in the music. Overall, definitely a loop-worthy track, The Missingman is a band to keep an eye out for.
3. Highroad No.28 - Ache
The Australia-based, heavy-rock band Highroad No. 28 brings a hard-hitting composition with their new single, "Ache". Starting with a gentle pulse and an ominous high note, it leads up into a lively pace with the drums and the synth. Its lyrics are introspective and brooding, but the composition is gentle and mellow, bringing in an element of comfort. The arrangement uses guitar distortions from a grungy element, while the synths arpeggiate major chords with a few minor notes sprinkled in between, creating an uplifting vibe throughout the song.
4. Cycamore-Heart of America
This 5-piece band, popular in the Nashville scene, have brought to us a reimagination of the 2005 song ‘Heart of America’ – which was originally written in 2005, in support for victims of the devastating, hurricane Katrina. The song aims to serve as a beacon of hope, or a reminder of American values, with its use of instrumentation and patriotic theme. The lyrics echo the same with verses like “land of the free, the promise of liberty- the heart of America” The composition brings an uplifting, positive and hopeful sentiment with its gentle pace and major chords melodies layerd by the guitars and the keyboard. The various harmonies in the chorus reiterates that heartfelt feeling of togetherness.
5.Scott’s Tees-We Move As Fast As Storms Allow
This Edmonton-based artist brings us a unique experience in his new single, ‘We Move As Fast As Storms Allow’. The lyrics are reflective and evoke a positive back-and-forth exchange with the universe. This is carried forward with the song’s use of ethereal harmonizations, a timid acoustic guitar, and background synth that quietly appears and disappears without your knowledge. It has a soft rock quality and the arrangement pulses and swells towards the end, bringing the track to a halt- but interestingly lifts right back up again, bringing in an element of surprise. The song’s arrangement diverts from the usual verse-chorus-verse-bridge structure and makes for a unique experience – the instrumentation and layering add to the overall soft, uplifting vibe.
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