This LITM Pop Picks list brings you blends of pop, electronica, jazz, and then some, featuring artists- Audrey Huynh, Check Mirrors, Messy Eater, Stomp Box Choir, and Korda Korder.
1. Audrey Huynh – Breathing
Audrey Huynh’s latest track, ‘Breathing’ feels like one of those tracks you’d hear at a climactic moment in a teen rom-com. The song takes you through the motions of heartbreak through the eyes of the main character, yearning to speak what was left unspoken to a silent secondary character. The music follows the lead singer’s energy, providing a solid underbed of electronica as she leads with a flowy voice and smooth transitions, taking on textures ranging from breathy and airy to silky and glass-like. The undercurrent of embossed bass notes, synth fragmentation, and compressed beats highlights the vocal track while maintaining a beautiful balance of bright and dark tones.
2. Check Mirrors – Best Ones
This latest alt-pop track from Check Mirrors scratches the itch in your brain; ‘Best Ones’ is a song characterized by dynamic instrumentation along with layered textures and grooves. The wandering bass, intermittent synth notes, and suave vocals appear as if they are taking different paths, only to meet up every now and again as they each wander with purpose while leaving room for some drama. The compressed quality of the mix makes the arrangement feel airtight, which works perfectly with the rocky nature of the underbed and the mellow, nonchalant delivery of the vocals atop. If you like alt-pop with an element of jazz, tune into this track.
3. Messy Eater – Vibe Killer
Another alt-pop track with a replayable groove, slick vocals, and a killer bassline is Messy Eater’s ‘Vibe Killer’. The lyrics “Tryna have a good time” perfectly sum up the vibe of the track, which uses a peppy arrangement of skipping beats alongside fleshy instrumental licks and unexpected twists and turns. The track starts with an old-fashioned phone ring that launches straight into the song, with the chorus dropping a danceable beat in the middle before the track ends in a full-circle moment with the call hanging up. The ironic contrast between the music and lyrics hammers home that feeling of mild escapism we all seek from the outside world.
4. Stomp Box Choir – Slow Burning Memory
Stomp Box Choirs’ latest electro-pop venture, ‘Slow Burning Memory’, showcases the underrated pairing of a contrasting thin voice and thick soundscape, resulting in a glassy ambient swirl. The vocals pierce through the hypnotic lull of an electronic haze sweeping in from all directions, while the sultry bass and gentle drum taps maintain a strong undercurrent. Floating above this is a rain of synth notes and pops of instrumentation, giving the track the ethereal feel of watching a time-lapse of shifting night skies. The arrangement also leaves room for gentle instrumental riffs, ending with the guitar fading into the distance.
5. Korda Korder – I Was Your Witness
Another killer indie track featuring rainy instrumentation is Korda Korder’s ‘I Was Your Witness’. This song pairs a breathy voice with an atmospheric mix, evoking fever-dream sequences spread out in surround sound. The vocal mix uses a perfect electronic haze that suits her vocal timbre, giving the track the feel of a slow-burning comet or a ghostly presence. The underbed is dynamic, with wave after wave of echoing chord progressions working to highlight the vocals—almost like a soft, curling wave at the peak. Listen here-
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