This edition of LITM Pop Picks brings to you genre-bending pop, R&B fused with tradition, introspective pop, and more. The list features artists ANTXNXO, Natalia James, Violet Love, and more.
ANTXNXO - NO ME DIGAS
Bringing modern R&B and fusing it with traditional rhythms, ‘NO ME DIGAS’ by ANTXNXO will have you groovin’ and movin’ whether you understand the lyrics or not. The instrumentation is as magnetic as it is hypnotic, with the traditional Spanish music inspired rhythms and music being clubbed with chill and vibey R&B beats, The vocals have that allure and seductiveness that is prevalent in a lot of romantic music, and this mood is something that gets translated without the need of words to do that job. If you enjoy different approaches to R&B you should drop everything and listen to this track right now.
Natalia James - Fly to L.A.
With a quiet approach to introspection, ‘Fly to L.A.’ by Natalia James captures the impact of big changes and all that it has you rethinking and questioning. The instrumentation uses very soft beats and depth laden piano progressions that give the song a lovely grounding. The layers of the song come together to create a sound that is flowy at the same time paradoxically restrained, which aligns with the themes of the song. Natalia’s vocals carry ache and uncertainty in a heart-touching balance. A heartfelt pop song that stirs all of those repressed emotions in you, this one is a must-listen.
Violet Love - Airport Road
With an old-school, 2000s pop inspired sound coursing through the melody of the song, ‘Airport Road’ by Violet Love fills you with a nostalgia you might not have an explanation for. The instrumentation has a catchy percussion set playing underneath, with acoustic guitar layers on top of it, bringing about a charming simplicity to the song. The song then gets more lush, with prominent drum patterns and bass guitar giving the song its groove. The vocals have that rare sincerity and authenticity that does not fail to touch your heart and move it to its rhythms. You absolutely ought to give this song a listen.
HANGAWI (fka SYLVIA M) - SPARE
Starting off with an acoustic guitar riff that feels like a cool springtime breeze ruffling your hair, ‘SPARE’ by HANGAWI (fka SYLVIA M) is authentic, it is vulnerable, and it will have you pause whatever you are doing to listen to it. The song’s instrumentation is quite simple and this simplicity allows the focus to be on the story that is being told through the singing. The song will remind you of songs by Chelsea Cutler, owing to similar moods and similar instrumentation arrangement and paces. Soft, and entirely honest, this song will have you reemebering your own stories that you fear revisiting too often.
Seattle Junior - Long Angry Summer
Bringing together eras and genres, ‘Long Angry Summer’ by Seattle Junior is, in brief, a fantastic sonic experience. The song’s instrumentation takes inspiration from psych rock, from retro guitar driven tracks, from indie-pop elements, and creates a sound that feels like worlds combined in one. The layered musicality of the song makes the listener feel like they are on an expansive, atmospheric musical journey, dropping into and moving through differently coloured worlds. The echoey nature of the vocals also adds to that far-off, expansive nature of the song. If you are looking to listen to something that is so not conventional then this song must be your go-to choice.
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